OCTOBER: OPAL or TOURMALINE. Opal has symbolized innocence, hope and purity. It was thought to bring the wearer good fortune and banish evil spirits. Medieval writers believed opal could render its wearer invisible when the need arose. It was thought to banish evil spirits and favor children, the theater, amusements, friendships and feelings. According to the ancients, holding an opal between the eyes sharpened one’s sight and gave proper direction to one’s thoughts. From early Roman times until the 18th century, opal was a much coveted gem. In the middle ages, young blonde maidens wore opal in their hair to protect its fair color. Some attribute the opal’s reputation of bringing bad luck to the story of “Anne of Geierstein” (1829, Sir Walter Scott) in which the heroine Lady Hermione wore an enchanted opal, and when she died the stone was wrongly blamed as the bringer of misfortune and death. Others claim the superstition got started in the 14th Century Italy during the time of the black plague. Rumors swept Venice that those opals worn by people stricken with the plague suddenly flared to brilliance and then lost their luster when the wearers died. Modern-day superstition says the gem is lucky if they are the wearer’s birthstone. Opals are said to be bad luck only if they are not your birthstone and you buy them for yourself, not if they are a gift regardless of whether they are your birthstone. (Not being exactly sure if making a joke about opal is unlucky, I won’t) 

The well-known Roman naturalist Pliny described opal as "made up of the glories of the most precious gems... the gentler fire of the ruby, the rich purple of the amethyst, the sea-green of the emerald, glittering together..."

White opal has a white or light body color with flashes of many colors. Black opal has a black, dark blue, dark green or gray body color with vivid flashes of color such as red, pink and bright green.

Care should be taken to protect it from scratches, sharp blows, household chemicals, and extreme temperature changes. To maintain the brilliance of opal, it should be wiped clean with a soft cloth. Do not use a home ultrasonic machine or jewelry cleaner.

Opal sources are Australia, Mexico and the U.S.

Tourmaline is used as a birthstone for October and spans the spectrum from green to red to violet. It also occurs in color combinations in one stone, as green and pink in watermelon tourmaline which accounts for its popularity. It is not as fragile as opal and is sometimes selected by those who prefer faceted stones.