Tourmaline & Opal - October birthstones
05.10.16
It is not uncommon for certain months to have multiple birthstones.
October has two birthstones; Tourmaline and Opal.
The Tourmaline is available in a wide range of amazing colours, and as such has become a favourite for jewellers and end users alike. With it's name meaning "mixed stone" it's existence in a rainbow of colours - Cranberry red, bubblegum pink, hot magenta, mint, canary yellow, peach and orange, violet, grass and forest green ocean blue and more it's little wonder why it is so popular.
Bi or Tri coloured Tourmalines are formed in various combinations and are highly prized.
Tourmaline is found in various locations around the world, including Brazil, Afghanistan, East Africa and the USA.
See some examples of colour variety we like from some of the world's leading jewellers.
The Everlasting Light ring by Van Cleef & Arpels with a 10.62ct pear shape Tourmaline. A Cartier ring set with a 33.42 ct brown tourmaline. A pink cabochon tourmaline crown the Bulgari's serpenti cuff.
Opal gemstones are quite unique as each individual gem is blessed with a distinctive colour combination. Labelled the queen of gems in ancient times because it encompassed the colours of all other gemstones, one can choose the calming flashes of blues and green, the bright reds and yellows or the soothing crystal whites. There is a magnificent play of colour that shifts as the opal is turned or moved.
Opal is a formation of non-crystalline silica gel that leaked into gaps in the sedimentary strata. Time and nature does the rest, it's heating and molding processes hardens the gel into the form of opals.
With so many variations, what is the ideal Opal? Hmm, hard to say.
Here at IGR, we believe it is one that exhibits broad patterns covering the surface with what you can say are all the colours of the rainbow.
Some beautiful opal creations below.
The escape capri ring by Louis Vuitton. Jill Hoffmeister Opal ring. Brooke Gregson Opal ring. Chromatic opal ring by Solange Azagury-Partridge.
