October Birthstone: Opal & Tourmaline
Blue Tourmaline, Silver, Hallmarking
At the end of last month, the studious Virgo merged into the harmonious Libra. The gemstones associated with October are the Tourmaline and Opal. The name tourmaline comes from the Sinhalese term “turmali,” which was the name given to all coloured crystals on the island of Sri Lanka. The gem was also highly valued by alchemists who were said to believe it to be related to the philosopher’s stone and was said to be the substance that would grant enlightenment.
This birthstone varies in colour from yellow, brown, green, blue, pink and red. Many tourmaline crystals display polarity, meaning that the colour, electrical properties and the crystal forms are different at either end of the crystal. These variations arise because of the complex structure and chemistry of the gemstone itself. This incredible birthstone contains a magical property known as “pyroelectricity,” which occurs when it is heated or rubbed together, creating an electrical or magnetised charge. Tourmaline also varies in hardness, some as low as quartz, and others are equal to emerald.
It is an excellent stone for healers, therapists and counsellors as it allows them to better listen to and understand their patients. It carries the virtue of unconditional love and friendship, as it introduces the qualities of compassion and wisdom when dealing with others. It also promotes flexibility of thought, creating peace, and promotes communication between the conscious and unconscious minds, allowing psychic consciousness to thrive.
Tourmaline has been said to be good for keeping the digestive system healthy, as well as strengthening teeth and bones. It is also recommended for the adrenal disorders and is used by modern practitioners to treat stress and trauma. Classified by their chemical composition, there are five tourmalines that are important in crystal healing:
Dravite; displaying brown to black. Uveitis; displaying brown to olive green. These wondrous tourmalines promote openness, a sense of community, self care and helpfulness as well as social involvement. They strengthen our ability to empathise with others and help solve conflict within large groups.
Elbaite and Liddicoatite; displaying any colour.
Schorl: black in colour, it improves perceptions and also enables us to retain self-control while maintaining a neutral, distanced and impartial position.
Central ring - Tourmaline, Diamond, 9ct gold - Remodel
Due to their great variety, all tourmalines possess a wide spectrum of healing properties. Multicoloured tourmalines combine their various qualities. Multicoloured ‘polychrome tourmalines’ may be either different kinds of tourmalines or colour variations within a crystal. Polychrome tourmalines help to bring mind, body and soul intellect together as one harmonious unit, aiding a feeling of ‘wholeness’ giving rise to wisdom and creativity. It is the differing metal contents that lend tourmalines their beautiful colours.
Indigolite; blue tourmalines strive for spiritual freedoms and personal development. It promotes loyalty, ethics and love of truth.
Rubellite; red/pink promotes vitality and involvement. It makes us dynamic and goal orientated.
Verdelite; green tourmaline brings relaxation, eases stress and helps with hyperactivity. It allows us to find a new direction, rediscover lost goals and ideas and reminds us to be grateful for the miracles of life.
Paraiba; green/turquoise tourmalines help us to see the world and life with kindly, well-meaning eyes and to see the beauty in all things. It brings wisdom and justice to difficult situations, promoting a deeper understanding and clearing confusions.
Opals are incredibly beautiful. Many are like looking into a night sky, or with fiery sparks of reds amongst blue, the mineralogy of these is fascinating. To cut a long story short, the capturing of water and gas while silicic acid solidifies creates silicon dioxide globules, when mixed with light create the wonderful colours within the opal.
Australian opal, Gold, Silver
In mythology these stones are seen to be bad luck, however this couldn’t be further from the truth. The opal spiritually awakens our desire to the joy and variety in our lives. It makes us more aware of our sexual selves, maybe pushing our emotions a little further than we would normally go, encouraging the love for life. Mentally it brings a light heartedness, bringing a love for the arts and encouraging spontaneity in us. The opal is thought to help purify blood and boost the immune systems keeping us healthy mentally and physically. The pragmatic energy of this stone is also thought to have a general health enhancing quality just because it strengthens the will to enjoy life.
In conclusion I would say both of these complex stones can bring harmony when things are feeling out of balance, may it be physically, emotionally, spiritually or mentally. As for use in jewellery the opal can be enjoyed however you choose, just be aware it’s not the kind of ring you could go gardening or washing up in all the time. The tourmaline however, has so many different colour options and has the ability to be hard wearing, so you could wear it in any jewellery form.