Opal, oh Opal, how do I love thee???

Ok, some of you might think that the title of this post is silly, but opal has becoming one of today's hottest gemstones. With the most popular kind being of the Peruvian variety, this gemstone has taken the world of fashion jewelry by storm.

Peruvian opal comes in several colors including clear, white, pink, green, blue, and with dendritic veins it it like the "Tributary" earrings above. Dendritic comes from the word "dendrite", which is a rock or mineral mass with branching, treelike structure or markings on it. It originates from French, which took its meaning from the Greek dendron, which mean "tree." Opal also happens to be the birthstone for October, which is why this stunning gemstone is the star of my post today. The Opal derives its name from the Latin word "opalus," meaning precious jewel. Prized for its unique ability to refract and reflect specific wavelengths of light, the Opal was called Cupid Paederos by the Romans, meaning a "child beautiful as love." One legendary explanation for this gemstone's origin is that it fell from heaven in a flash of fiery lightning.

The Opal dates back to prehistoric times. It is a non-crystallized silica, which is a mineral found near the earth's surface in areas where ancient geothermal hot springs once existed. As the hot springs dried up, layers of the silica, combined with water, were deposited into the cracks and cavities of the bedrock, forming Opal. This gemstone actually contains up to 30% water, so it must be protected from heat or harsh chemicals, both of which will cause drying and may lead to cracking and loss of iridescence. These green opals in these "Celestine Glow" earrings shimmer with a subtle shine.

Most of the world's Opal deposits are found in Southern Australia. Other sources of this gemstone are Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia and Nevada. A gift of Opal is symbolic of faithfulness and confidence. And the powerful energy radiating from this fiery gemstone will surely illuminate any occasion!

An alternate birthstone for October, Pink Tourmaline seen in these "Tourmaline Falls" earrings. Tourmaline has the seemingly magical property of pyroelectricity. Scientifically speaking, this means that when heated, the gem takes on a static electric charge, making it capable of attracting lightweight objects. No wonder this gemstone was revered for its mystical properties centuries ago! Considered the "stone of the muse," it was believed to stimulate the creative process of its wearer. Pink varieties of Tourmaline range in color from pastel pink to ruby red and are mined in Brazil, Afghanistan, Burma, and India. A gift of this stone is symbolic of hope.

You can see all these earrings or custom order them at the Midori Jewelry website. Mahalo!!!