The gemstone Opal is the official October birthstone as adopted by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912. Opal is the modern October birthstone and the accepted gem for the 13th wedding anniversary.

OPAL
Fireworks and Rainbows

Unlike any other gemstone, opal dazzles the eye with a
spectral display of flashing and dancing colors – colors that
move and shift within the opal’s mysterious depths. A Roman
historian in the first century AD wrote, “There is in them a
softer fire than the ruby, there is the brilliant purple of the
amethyst and the sea green of the emerald – all shining
together in incredible union. Some by their splendor rival the
colors of the painters, others the flame of burning sulfur or of
fire quickened by oil.” Opal offers the wearer a wider variety
of appearances and color choices than any other gem.

OPAL
Opal is treasured as much for its many different appearances
as it is for its breathtaking beauty. There are over
100 different variety and trade names used today to
describe opals. Opals with a lighter body color are often
called white opals, and those with a darker (and more
rare) body color are classified as black opals. Whether
white or black, the value of an opal depends upon the
vividness of the spectral flashes (often called play of color)
visible from within the gem and the patterns these colors
form. Another popular opal with little or no play of color
is fire opal. Fire opals range in hue from vivid yellows to
fiery reds and oranges.

BIRTHSTONE
Opal is the birthstone for October and shares this designation
with tourmaline.

ORIGINS
Most of the world’s opals come from the deserts of
Australia. Other important sources include Mexico and the
United States.

TREATMENTS
There are various treatments used to enhance the beauty of
opals. The most common treatments darken the body color,
making the play of color slightly more noticeable. Some
opals are coated with oil, wax or plastic to improve their
appearance. All of these treatments only affect a thin outer
layer of the gem’s surface and, therefore, are not considered
stable.

CARE
Because of their unusually high water content, opals should
be protected from heat and strong light that can dry them
out. Opals also draw moisture from the air and, therefore,
should not be stored for long periods of time in dehumidified
environments such as a bank vault. Never clean an opal
using strong chemicals or detergents, and avoid both ultrasonic
and steam cleaning machines. Because opals are slightly
softer than most transparent gemstones, they are best
suited for wear in earrings and pendants. When mounted in
a ring or bracelet, special attention should be paid to ensure
the stone is well protected. Opals can be cleaned with mild
soap and lukewarm water using a soft brush. Be sure to
rinse and dry your jewelry thoroughly after cleaning.