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Articles, How-To's and Interviews -
Spirit and Spa
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Written by Kathy Robinson
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October babies have a few birthstones to choose from. The modern birthstones are opal and tourmaline, the traditional birthstone is tourmaline, the mystical birthstone is jasper and the Ayurvedic (ancient Indian medicine) stone for October is opal. Traditional birthstone charts date as far back as the 15th century. The modern birthstone list was made official in the United States in 1912.
Opal can be found in Australia (about 95% of opals), Mexico and Brazil. Precious opals from Australia such as Boulder Opal or Black Opal are a sight to behold and cost an amazing amount of money, a rather small cabochon can run over $10,000. They diffract various wavelengths of light creating incredible flashes of rainbow color across their surface. Opal is hydrated silica and is comprised of up to 13% water. Heat or intense light can rob the stone of its moisture, causing cracks. Your opal may need to be oiled to help keep moisture inside.
Arabic legends believe opal fell to Earth in flashes of lightning.
Ancient Romans wore the stone to promote good fortune. Ancient Greeks
wore opals to protect themselves from disease and believed the stone
imparted the gift of prophecy. In metaphysical circles opals are
thought to help release inhibitions, enhance psychic abilities, enhance
creativity and soothe the eyes and nerves.
Peruvian opal is also popular today. This opal is completely different
from Australian opal and is usually blue, blue-green or pink with black
dendrites (inclusions that often look like tiny plants). These stones
do not exhibit the luminescent flashes that precious opals have.
Tourmaline, the "Rainbow Stone," is a complex crystalline silicate that
contains a variety of elements such as boron or aluminum. The slightest
elemental change imparts different colors to the gemstone, each with
its own name. Indicolite (blue), rubellite (pink or red), schorl
(black), chromium (green), anchroite (no color) and dravite (brown).
Watermelon tourmaline is cut in slices that are green around the
outside and pinkish-red in the center. Tourmaline is found in the
United States, Afghanistan, Africa, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Pakistan and
other areas worldwide.
Ancient Egyptians believed tourmaline made its way up from the center
of the earth along a rainbow, collecting a variety of colors along the
way, hence the term "rainbow stone." In the metaphysical world,
tourmaline is believed to dispel fear and negativity, improve
concentration and aid in peaceful sleep. Each color also has a
different energy. Briefly: black helps with arthritis and anxiety;
pink/red enhances creativity and calms aggression; green also enhances
creativity and helps balance energies; blue aids the lungs and thyroid;
and watermelon calms the nervous system and heals the heart chakra.
Jasper is a popular stone that comes in many different colors and
patterns. Fancy jasper, zebra jasper, kambaba jasper, leopardskin
jasper, ocean jasper, picture jasper, poppy jasper, rose jasper, silver
leaf jasper, snakeskin jasper - to name a few. In ancient times,
jasper was believed to drive away evil spirits and protect against the
bite of venomous insects and snakes. It was also used in rain-making
ceremonies. Current metaphysical beliefs differ for each type of
jasper, from cleansing the body of toxins (kambaba) to teaching
patience (ocean).
Kathy Robinson
The Maiden's Treasures
Also see Kathy's jewelry for sale in DivaTribe's Store, and watch for more birthstone of the month articles |
