October’s birthstones are a two of my favourite stones-opal and tourmaline. Interestingly, both of them come in multiple colours. Opals are particularly known for their fire, and are mostly white or black with a variety of flash colours.
Rough opal example (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Opal-53714.jpg)
Finished opal is often, although not always, finished as a cabochon, so not faceted. Opal tends to be soft and brittle, so not always the best everyday option to wear in a ring, but it’s great in earrings or a pendant, or some other jewellery where you’re less likely to knock it into something. It also works well in settings where the edges are more protected from impact as well!
Example of a finished piece of opal jewellery- I love the iridescent flash of this one!
(Taken from wikipedia: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jupiter_20_Opal_and_Diamond_Pendant.jpg)
Tourmaline is a bit different. A crystalline boronsilicate, it has various metal ions, including aluminium, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium and potassiu, leading it to have a variety of colours from deep forest green to a vivid pink.
Different colours of tourmaline.
(from wikipedia: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elbaite_Nampula.jpg)
My favourite is a really nice deep green. If I’d remembered, I would have taken some pictures of my favourite personal tourmaline pieces, featuring some beautiful, deep green stones, but sadly, I didn’t. I’ll have to show you some other time! Instead, here’s a cool picture of some watermelon tourmaline, instead. I don’t really go in for pink, but this combination always somehow appeals to me.
Watermelon tourmaline
(from wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Watermelon_Tourmaline.JPG)
How about you? Do you like opals or tourmalines? What appeals to you about them? I’m always interested in what people think!
That’s it for me today! Enjoy the beautiful day, and hope to see you in the studio sometime soon!
Robin.