The October Birthstone is the Opal

There are several October birthstones, depending on which tradition you want to look at. Those who believe in the older meanings of gems scoff at the modern list since those gems have no astrological significance. The modern list, which was created in 1912, has as its October birthstone, the Opal. This beautiful, iridescent gem changes color depending on the lighting, which is one of its defning characteristics. Because of this color shifting Opal Jewelry, in the right settings, can be stunning.

Australia produces about 95% of the world's opal supply. The aborigines of that country say that the opal was created where a rainbow touched the earth. This certainly explains the cascade of color in fine opal specimens. (Black opal rivals the price of diamonds for very fine specimens.) While the black opal isn't really black, it does have a dark base color. Given their shimmer and fire fine Black Opal Jewelry is particularly exotic.

October birthstone rings, custom designed or off the shelf, make a very fine gift for a mother, grandmother, or any other family member. There are some very nice opal birthstone rings made for men, as well. An opal necklace is a great gift, as well.

Floating Opal Jewelry is another idea. The opal floats in a glass sphere filled with glycerine or fine oil. The liquid really brings out the dazzle and iridescence of the opals inside.

Care Of Opal Jewelry 

Opal is a relatively soft gem so it can easily be scratched or scraped. So care should be taken not to knock it around. Wearing opal jewelry while rock climbing is probably not a good idea!

Probably the best way to clean your opal jewelry is with water and little white vinegar. Rinse carefully and dry with a soft cloth.

Some people suggest immersing opals in water every now and then (since water is part of its chemical structure,) but this isn't a good idea for certain opals. These are more opal clusters rather than solid gems and the water might damage the glue that holds the clusters together.

Tourmaline

is the October birthstone in other traditions and is also the national gemstone of the USA (and the State Gemstone of Maine.) The WikiPedia has this to say about tourmaline:

The tourmaline mineral group is chemically one of the most complicated groups of silicate minerals. It is a complex silicate of aluminium and boron, but because of isomorphous replacement (solid solution), its composition varies widely with sodium, calcium, iron, magnesium, lithium and other elements entering into the structure...

Tourmaline comes in a great variety of colors, depending on the minerals present when the gem crystalized. Colors can range from almost black to yellow or pink. Some crystals may even be multi-colored. One type, that is green on the outside and pink in the center, is called watermelon tourmaline.

Since tourmaline comes in such a wide variety of  colors tourmaline jewelry can be chosen to go with practically any clothing or setting. Tourmaline birthstone jewelry is for your wife or mother or sister or anyone who likes jewelry. One of the nice things about these birthstones is that you can get such jewelry without breaking your budget.