Alive with the Glory of Love: Opal Birthstones for October

Opals are an element tragically missing from many collections. Our theory? Most people simply don't think about the possibilities these bewitching gemstones hold, and part of that is certainly a lack of education in the area. There are many types of opals in this crazy world, and all of them provide their own flavour of whimsical charm.

Let's face it: you can wear a diamond necklace or a pair of diamond earrings any time of the year. Why not turn with the seasons and give opals a shot this fall’

First and Foremost: Understanding the Opal Itself

Those familiar with opals will instantly identify them by the glittering colours flashing beneath the surface. They're actually not considered true minerals, but mineraloid instead. The colourful iridescence is what they're most famous for, but there are plenty of other manifestations of these incredible pieces of nature.

Opals in Every Colour Imaginable

Opals spanning the entire spectrum of colour can be found if one is only willing to seek them out.

Black opals, the most well-known and coveted variety, are dark with bright flashes of colour glimmering from within. White opals, conversely, are much lighter in hue, and "milky," as opposed to the partial translucency of crystal opals. They boast luster similar to pearls, albeit with a more colourful, exciting edge.

Boulder opals, a type of matrix opal hailing from Queensland, come from deposits on ironstone boulders in layers that are often too thin to stand on their own without allowing the ironstone behind to remain and hold everything together. Parallel lines of brilliant colour striping along the dark surface make these opals unlike anything else in the world of fine jewelry. On the other hand, fire opals are generally sourced from Mexico. Their signature orange hue makes them a powerful focal point in any piece.

Opals can also be made artificially. The term opaline silica indicates that the opal was produced synthetically in a lab. Man-made opals will sometimes feature brighter colours than those found in nature. Other aspects that artificial opals are known for include slightly more irregular granularity, unusual snakeskin patterns, and a slightly more organized appearance as far as the bodies entombed within are concerned.

Opals and More All Under One Roof at GMG Jewellers

The selection of opal jewelry available in our catalogue is unrivalled anywhere in Saskatchewan. As passionate lovers of all things opalescent, our team makes getting your fix simple this October. With gorgeous opal offerings from brands like Simon G, Zeghani, Claude Thibaudeau, and more, we allow you to indulge in something new to wear on your wrist, neck or finger, just in time for opal season.