Opals for October.

Via Different Seasons Jewelry.

October's child is born for woe,
And life's vicissitudes must know,
But lay an opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.

It bothers me that a lot of times, while other months get to keep their natural stones, October's is replaced by man-made rose zircon (and December's turquoise is replaced by blue zircon) -- snoozefest! Opal is so much more beautiful. It's bizarrely underappreciated.

Opal trivia:

• Ancient Greeks believed that wearing opals granted the abilities of foresight and prophecy. Medieval Europeans thought that opals gave the wearer powers of invisibility. Some people today still believe in the magical properties of opals -- that they promote good eyesight, inner healing, and other mystical benefits.
  
• Black opals are the rarest kind. They are not actually black -- they just have a dark background, with blue, green, purple, or orange fire.
• Queen Victoria favoured opals in her jewellery.
• Opals were once believed to be bad luck, especially if one who was not born in October wore them.
• The Olympic Australis is the largest opal in the world. Although it remains uncut, it is valued at about $2 million.

Opals have always been my favourite stone (with emeralds a close second -- can't get enough of green!). I have an opal pendant that I love to wear, even though it is a man-made, and I used to have a pretty ring, until last year when my apartment was burgled and it was most maliciously pilfered from my jewellery box. I mean to expand my collection of these little lovelies soon -- as an October girl, it would be a shame not to!