Gemstone Feature- Tourmaline (October’s Birthstone)

Tourmaline is considered a secondary birthstone for October, with Opal being the primary birthstone.  Tourmaline is considered the gem of tranquility and is associated with banishing fear and negativity, and protecting against misfortunes. Tourmaline is considered a semi-precious stone. Color: Comes in many different color varieties such as dark yellow, brown/black, bluish or brownish black, light blue or greenish blue, rose, green, and colorless. Source:  Primarily throughout Africa and Brazil, but it is also mined in Sri Lanka, the US, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Age:  Tourmaline has been used as a gem for over 2000 years. Family:  Silicate Hardness:  7-7.5 on the Mohs scale Gemstone Properties/Healing Properties:   The stone of tranquility, tourmaline is associated with banishing fear and negativity, and protecting against misfortunes. Different varieties have specific attributes in addition to those of tourmaline in general. Health-wise, it’s said to regulate hormone imbalances, soothe nerves, protect against genetic disorders, promote good heart function, and alleviate … [Continue reading]

Gemstone Feature- Opal (October’s Birthstone)

Opal is considered the primary birthstone for October. A symbol of happiness, hope, and truth, opal is thought to bring good luck. Opal is considered a semi-precious stone. Color:  Opal can present itself in a wide variety of colors. It can be colorless, white, gray, red, yellow, blue, magenta, rose, slate, brown, black, green, orange, and more. Precious opal reflects light with a dazzling display of intermixing colors. The red and black varieties are considered rare and valuable. White and greens, on the other hand, are quite common. Source:   Australia has the vast majority of opal. The US, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Ethiopia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Turkey, Indonesia, and Brazil also hold opal deposits. Age:   Opal is over 60 million years old, dating back to the Cretaceous period, when dinosaurs trodded the earth. Precious opal was greatly esteemed in Ancient Rome, who rated its preciousness only second to emeralds. Family:  Mineraloid … [Continue reading]

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