October's birthstone

Those born in October have the unique Opal as their birthstone.

Opal is believed to promote clarity by amplifying and mirroring feelings, emotions and desires.

A hardened silica gel, Opals usually contain between 5 and 10% water. Australia produces around 95% of the Opals mined today and has adopted the Opal as their National Stone.

Measuring 6 on the Mohs' scale, Opals should be treated with respect and because of their water content should not be allowed to dry out.

The flashes of colour within an Opal are produced by light diffracting off the internal silica spheres.

Queen Victoria wore Opals throughout her reign and the Romans regarded them as good luck charms because of their likeness to a rainbow.

Opals come in a variety of colours including translucent white, blue and black. The Fire Opal is transparent and a rich orange colour which gives it its name.

If you were born under the Zodiac sign of Libra (23 September - 23 October), the stone historically associated with your sign is the Chrysolite.

If you were born under the Zodiac sign of Scorpio (24 October - 22 November), the stone historically associated with your sign is the Aquamarine.

The custom of wearing birthstone jewellery gained momentum in 18th Century Poland and is thought to stem from an interest in the significance of the original twelve stones in the breastplate of the Jewish high priest, as highlighted by St Jerome in the 5th Century.

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