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October’s child is born for woe
A life’s vicissitudes must know
It lay an Opal on her breast
And hope will lull those foes to rest.”
October-Opal
Romans loved jewels and they loved the opal. Maybe it was because Romans believed that opals granted foresight and the power of prophesy. Ops, thus the name Opal, was their goddess of the harvest, creative forces, earthly energies and the wife of Saturn so the Romans celebrated her festival twice a year on December 19 and August 25. Mark Anthony tried to buy a prized opal from a senator named Nonius to give to Cleopatra. However, the senator fled from Rome and voluntarily accepted exile rather than part with his opal.
But, were these gems opals? Likely not. The places where Pliny the Elder claimed to have found opals did not have opals and the ones he called ‘opalus’ and described as a wonderful stone with soft reddish fire, the brilliant purple of amethyst, the sea green of emeralds and the flame of burning sulfur was more likely to be clear quartz with iridescent cracks (Walker).
Ancient Australian Aborigines have the legend that the creator came down to Earth on a rainbow to bring a message of peace and at the spot where his foot touched the ground the stones became alive and sparkled with fire of all the colors of the rainbow…(ICGA) Thus the world gained the opal. 'Opal' come from Sanskrit ‘upala’ meaning ‘valuable stone, or was it the Greeks ‘opallios meaning ‘color change, or was it the Romans for ‘opalus or stone from several elements.
During the Middle Ages, thieves liked opals because they believed that this gem dimmed the eyes of a beholder so the wearer could be come invisible. Therefore, opals became the stone of thieves, making the most secret thefts possible.
Some blondes think that opals can preserve the golden color of their hair, which can’t be true since opals are supposed to help the brain function. But, teenagers must not must not wear this gem because it makes them unstable to withstand the “changing vibrations.” Yet, opals are recommended for awareness, easing stress, and achievement. So, wouldn’t you think opals would be good for teenagers?
Maybe they weren’t born in October. Sir Walter Scott started this myth that wearing an opal would bring the wearer bad luck if the wearer was not born in October. His heroine Anne of Gierstein was not born in Octover and wore an opal and died a heroine’s death. Thus the folk tale. However, wearing two opals reverses this bad luck and brings good fortune.
Like so many other stones as the emerald, the opal supposedly helps eyesight. And by some Eastern traditions, opals protect the wearer from all diseases and the list of cures is extensive. Fire opals draw money. Black Opals attracts love passion, loyalty, faithfulness, warmth, spontaneity and draws power for magicians. White Opals attract competency and efficiency. The Oregon Opal amplifies positive emotions, helps release sorrow and is used in remembering past lives. ‘Harequin,’’ Peacock,’ ‘Church window,’ ‘Needle fire’ are a few ways some discuss the beautiful colors in the opal. But, sometimes “potch’ or common opals are impregnated with plastic to make the stone more colorful, so be careful what you admire.
One unique fact about opals is that it is made of 30% water and if the gem dries out, it will crack; thus it is considered a ‘soft’ stone. So ironically, opals should be worn rather than tucked away in some dry drawer.
Tourmaline
Out with the Pledge!!! Tourmaline attracts dust! In Sinhalese, the gem is called ‘turamalie’ or attractor of ashes. According to Dutch legend, when warmed by the sun, a person can attract ash with ‘aschentrekker’ or otherwise known as tourmaline. This ‘ash-drawer’ can draw dust and lightweight particles because it is proelectric or can develop a static charge. But, rest assured, tourmaline does not transmit enough electric current to shock the wearer as some have thought because it is a nonconductor.
In 1703, Dutch traders introduced tourmaline to Europe after bringing this gem from the East. Over time, tourmaline became the talisman of creativity for artists, writers, and actors. Thus, it was declared the stone of the Muses, because it was said to inspire and enrich the mind. I wonder if Shakespeare wore a tourmaline?
Tourmaline comes in many colors with watermelon the favorite because it supposedly balances metabolism and guilt. Green (chromdravite or verdelite) is calming, success communication; black tourmaline grounds and effects of negativity; blue (indicolite) brings peace eloquence; brown (buergerite) draws stability and practicality; violet (siberite) helps meditation; yellow (tsilsisite) heightens intelligence and spiritual awareness; and colorless (achroite) tourmaline helps contact with angels.
Tourmaline’s medicinal issues are quite confusing. Some say it over stimulates the bowels while others say it causes constipation. Tourmalines supposedly reduces fevers, lowers blood pressure, combats colds and flu, and, of course, helps with eye problems. Black tourmaline allegedly heals arthritis, dyslexia, and syphilis.
Tourmaline has a complex and variable mineral content that has caused a recent stir among mystics who believe tourmaline is a cosmic stone from another planet not yet discovered. Or it is possibly from Star Trek’s planet ‘Vulcan.’ They claim that tourmaline’s ‘blue ray of peace’ can cure sore throats, thyroid problems. It’s just finding this ray or planet that NASA just cannot seem to locate…that’s the problem I’m sure.
October tidbits: The fire opal is a minor season stone for summer and is the gem for the 14th and 18th anniversary. Tourmaline is the Anniversary stone for the 8th year of marriage. The flower for October is calendula, marigold or cosmos and the color for October is orange, meaning contentment, excellence, loveliness, good luck, grace, gratitude, and joy. Opal is the Modern[1], and Ayurvedic[2] birthstone. Tourmaline is the Traditional[3] stone, and Jasper is the Mystical[4] stone. The Star Stones for Libra: the Birth stone-opal, lapis lazuli, peridot; the Planatary stone- sapphire; The Lucky Charm stone-opal, chrsolite, sardonyx; the Talismanic stone- agate.
“Who first comes to this world below
With drear November’s fog and snow
Should prize the Topaz’s amber hue Emblem of friends and lovers true”
November -Topaz
Nature enjoyed making topaz. She grew them large. A most famous topaz was 1680 carats, weighing in at as much as 200 pounds, and was a clear gem once thought to be a diamond and was found in the Portuguese Royal Crown. Think of that headache after wearing it to a royal ball with the king.
Big though topaz may be, the Roman emperor Maximillian claimed he was strong enough to break topaz with his fingers. However, there was a trick to doing this and he knew it. Even though topaz is a hard stone, it tends to shatter due to its fragile cleavage if squeezed right. Later writings said that if a person had a topaz with a falcon carved on it, the wearer would acquire the good will of royalty. I bet so.
In the 1500’s, Adamus Lonicerus claimed that a topaz could instantly cool boiling water, as well as cool passions of the flesh and extinguish ‘the carnal desire of lechery’. So, if all one needs is a topaz to cool water and a ruby to boil water, anybody for tea?
Topaz got its name from the Sanskrit word of ‘tapas’ meaning fire or, it claimed its name from the Island of Topazos in the Red Sea. This gem is typically thought of as light blue (leadership ability, physic knowing, spiritual growth, tranquility) but can be yellow (generosity, happiness, humor, optimism, creativity, wisdom, inspiration, and love), green (forgiveness and understanding), pink (honor and truth) or clear (communication with spirits, all animals, and all plants of the earth.) The red-orange ‘Imperial’ topaz is very rare.
This gem has been granted the powers to cure an endless list of illnesses from adenoids, deafness, obesity, gout, arthritis, negative thoughts, death and even baldness. However, to the ancient Greeks, topaz granted strength and made the wearer invisible in cases of emergency. Others believed the topaz’s medicinal virtues waxed and waned with the moon and was said to cure insomnia, asthma and hemorrhages. Saint Hildegard of Bingen claimed topaz would cure ‘dimness of vision by simply touching a wine-soaked topaz to the eyeball. Ouch.
Citrine
Citrine gleaned its name from French for lemon or ‘citron’ because of its lemony color derived from traces of iron. This gem has also been referred to as a yellow topaz, for example the Maderia topaz or Bahia topaz, which are actually citrines.
Now, natural citrines are rare, but commercial citrines can be created artificially by heating a low- grade amethyst to about 900F turning these gems to red, orange, or warm bronze-like shades. However, a true citrine is cooler to the touch. But, left in the sunlight or heat for several hours, citrines will change color. (shgresources) ‘Ametrine’ is a bi-colored burned amethyst displaying both colors of purple and yellow.
Because of its yellow color, citrines are easily associated with healing urinary problems, jaundice, liver, gall bladder, and kidney ailments. They are supposedly a cure for depression and constipation, appendicitis, gangrene and cleanses vibrations in the atmosphere, helps personal clarity, brings out problems in solar plexus, and eliminates self-destructive tendencies.
Citrines are seen by some as a symbol of hope, youth, health, fidelity and hope and are simply a very nice stone to have since they are cheaper than a yellow sapphire, yellow topaz, or yellow diamond.
November tidbits: Pink topaz is a minor season stone for spring and summer. Topaz is the anniversary stone for 4th and the 19th year. Citrine is the 17th anniversary stone. The Birthstone for November is yellow topaz and citrine. The flower is the chrysanthemum of any color and its meaning is compassion, cheerfulness, friendship, sensitivity and secret love. Birthstone for November is the yellow topaz- the Modern[5] birthstone; the Traditional birthstone[6] -citrine; the Ayurvedic birthstone- pearl; the Mystical[7] birthstone- topaz. The Star Stones for: Scorpio is” Birthstone-aquamarine, topaz; Planetary stone-garnet, ruby; Lucky charm stone- aquamarine, beryl; Talismanic stone- amethyst.
“If cold December gives you birth
The month of snow and ice and mirth
Place on your hand a Turquoise blue
Success will bless whate’er you do”
December- Turquoise
The Southwest Indian nations claim turquoise as their primary ’holy stone,’ which became a major means of monetary exchange between tribes. Every Navajo carried his own personal turquoise and believed that if thrown in the river it would bring rain. Pieces of turquoise were put in lintels of doorways to guard the house against evil spirit and was thought that, if attached to a bow, the shot arrows would always hit their mark. Powdered turquoise mixed with cornmeal was a thankful offering to their gods. However, turquoise has a much longer history than just in the North America.
Four bracelets were found on the mummified arm of Queen Zar dating this gem back to the second ruler of Egypt’s first Dynasty or about 5500BC. Ancient Aztecs of Peru decorated their ceremonial masks with this stone. The Biblical high priest Aaron was believed to have been adorned with turquoise. Aristotle, Pliny, and others historians refer to stones that were likely turquoise. And, from the fourth to the fifth century, many writings have referred to turquoise. Even Marco Polo wrote about it. (shgresources)
Turquoise means “Turkish stone.” And Turks called it ‘fayruz’ or the lucky stone. Tibetans called it ‘gyu as did the Chinese ‘yu’ for jade. The Apache called it “duklij’ meaning green or blue stone. And in Ancient Egypt, turquoise was called ‘majkat or malachite,’ which explains why turquoise was little recognized as the stone we know today.
A very old turquoise mine found in Egypt was near the temple of Hathor- the goddess of turquoise. Aphrodite of Cyprus’s sacred stone was also turquoise. Zuni legends says the sky is blue because of the light reflected from her divine turquoise mountain. And, Navajo Indians said Mother Earth’s heart is the holy turquoise.
Hindus believed that to even gaze at a turquoise after looking at a new moon would bring one luck. A main source of turquoise was found in the Sinai Peninsula and in the Neshapur region of Iran or Old Persia who charged that to it was lucky to see the reflection of a new moon in a turquoise.
In the Middle East, turquoise was believed to guard against accidents especially from falling. Therefore, horses wore turquoise amulets to prevent them or their riders from falling. This talisman was picked up by the European Crusaders who later said that the wearer of turquoise would never break bones when falling. Thus, a jester in Emperor Charles V court joked that, “If you should happen to fall from a high tower whilst wearing turquoise on your finger, the turquoise would remain unbroken.” Arabians thought turquoise would warn of approaching danger or illness by changing color.
According to some, turquoise brings serenity, protection, wisdom, balance, strength, friendship, love, positive thinking and sensitivity. Others see it as a master healer, protectant against environmental pollutants, guardian against all disease and, as so many other gems, helps with eye disorders. Along with attracting new friends, lovers, money, happiness and guarding against accidents as falling, turquoise also protect against poisons and snakes. Throughout history, many believed turquoise also carried knowledge and wisdom of the ages.
This universally beloved stone is all too easily imitated with ivory, calcite, marble, glass, porcelain, and now plastic. ‘Bone turquoise’ is not turquoise at all but fossil teeth; nor is Viennese turquoise which is a blue colored aluminum phosphate. But, one thing is important. Keep turquoise out of chemicals and protect it with a chemical-free wax to keep this stone beautiful.
Zircon
During the 18th and 19th centuries, zircons were called ‘Matara diamonds,’ ‘Ceylon diamond’ or the ‘Siam aquamarine.’ However, a zircon is not a diamond nor an aquamarine…nor a man-made gemstone called Cubic Zirconia.
A true zircon, likely taken from the Persian word ‘zargun’ meaning ‘gold-colored,’ is one of the heaviest gemstones and is a naturally existing stone that is originally radioactive containing radioactive thorium, uranium, or hafnium. Over time, these element destroys the crystal structure with the bombardment of alpha particles, leaving a ‘high’ zircon unaffected by radioactivity and a‘low’ zircon to become a decayed mineral. So, there’s little or no threat to the wearer except for Cyrtolite- a dark reddish brown zircon that is very radioactive. (Walker)
Hindu poets tell of a Kalpa Tree, the ultimate gift to the gods, which was a glowing tree covered with gemstone fruit with leaves of zircon. (ICGA) During the Middle Ages, this gem was said to protect travelers from plagues and wounds and would convey riches by helping the wearer wisely conduct finances as well as aid sleep, bring prosperity and promote honor and wisdom on its owner. Evil spells were undone by using a zircon by cutting a cross-shaped incision in a loaf of bread then reciting a chant. (Wooden Skate)
Some mystics say that zircons are still evolving and have no healing properties. Other’s differ, saying it treats liver, stomach, simulates dreams, acts as a ‘wishing stone’, and “takes away sin.”
Zircons at first are brown and then are heated 1800degrees F and then blown with air to create its many delightful colors. A clear zircon is the most popular and is said to promote independence. The blue zircon is a pastel to a bright blue color and is said help with spirituality. Brown zircons attract land and a permanent home; green zircons promote renewal and friendliness; pink zircons helps one appreciate life; purple zircons bring prosperity; red zircons bring purification, heal injuries, and sooths pain; and yellow zircons inspire, attract love, and heighten sensuality.
These colors are permanent that is until the stones are exposed to radiation and they revert to their original brownish color. So, don’t get an x-ray wearing your zircon. And remember, if the luster is lost on a zircon, it is said to warn of danger…and “He who kisses a white zircon is revealed as unchaste if the stone turns black.”
December tidbits: Zircon is the minor stone for summer and turquoise is a winter stone. Turquoise is the anniversary stone for the 5th and the 11th year. For the month of December, the birthstone is blue topaz and turquoise, the flower is holly, the poinsettia, narcissus or orchid. December’s color is white, meaning reassurance, celebration, success and wealth. The Modern Birthstones are blue topaz and turquoise; the Traditional[8] stone is zircon, turquoise, lapis lazuli’; the ruby is the Ayurvedic[9] stone and onyx is the Mystical[10] stone. Talismanic is Jasper. The Star Stones for Sagittarius is: Birth stone- sapphire, amethyst, turquoise, topaz; Planetary stone-topaz; Lucky charm stone-topaz and pearl; Talismanic stone-beryl.
[1] Modern Birthstone is the official list from the American National Association of Jewelers and was adopted in 1912 It is the official list in the United States. [2] Ayurvedic Birthstones list is from the Ayurvedic Indian Medicine used for over a thousand years[3] Traditional Birthstone list contains older stones that are sometimes combined with the Modern list. This reflects the societal stones tradition going back to 15th century.[4] Mystic birthstone is from the Tibetan origin from over a thousand years ago.
For references, see 'Other Precious Gems'
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