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The October Birthstones...a World of Color!
The cabochon and faceted gemstone for the birth month of October are equal in popularity, which is unusual. The vast colors and brilliance have a lot to do with their continued popularity.
Opal
Opal is the cabochon birthstone for October. Usually cabochons are not focused on when we think of birthstones, however opals tend to be the exception. One of the main reasons for this is each one is one-of-a-kind and absolutely gorgeous. Opals make me think of a galaxy and the many colors our oceans have to offer. They come in different colors, but there is always a play-of-color or iridescence within the stone. While located in different areas throughout the world, Australia is the predominant source for opals. In fact, opal is the national gemstone of Australia. In many cultures opal is a symbol of hope, purity, and truth.
Tourmaline is the faceted gemstone for October. While it does come in a variety of colors, the most popular colors are pink to pinkish-red and green to green-blue. In the past people used to confuse tourmaline for other types of gemstones. One example of this would be with ruby. The majority of tourmaline comes from Brazil. In the United States production of fine tourmaline has taken place in both California and Maine. The color of tourmaline has been known to determine its meaning, from love and courage to stability and strength.