October’s Birthstone: Opulent Opal

October’s Birthstone: Opulent Opal

 

 

Welcome, October, and Happy Birthday to all October babies! The month of October brings a chill to the air and coaxes the leaves from their trees. It’s the perfect time to cozy up with a knit sweater and a mug of warm apple cider and to start thinking about what staples to add to your fall wardrobe. The October Birthstone is the radiant, ever-changing Opal, with waves of color like cool breezes of wind. It is the perfect gemstone to add to your jewelry collection and the perfect sunny statement to add to your fall outfits.



Opal is a unique and magical gemstone in appearance. It is semi-transparent to opaque and often harbors a rainbow of colors in each stone. This gemstone is found in a variety of colors and shades, with the most prominent being White Opal, Black Opal, Fire Opal, Boulder Opal, Hydrophane Opal, and Crystal or Water Opal. 

 

 

Le Vian Neopolitan Opal is the beautiful, soft Hydrophane Opal, mined in Ethiopia. The naturally occurring water in Hydrophane Opals produces rich waves of color. Le Vian Neopolitan Opals™ often have a body of pastel yellow, soft aquamarine, or blush pink, with notes of sweet cotton-candy color. They’re strewn with gentle bursts of colors—often blues, greens, and purples. Their appearance is reminiscent of the view of a kaleidoscope, with rays of glimmering color. Each Opal is unique and no two are the same! 

 

Opal is unlike other gemstones in shape and structure. It is one of few gemstones that is amorphous, which means that it lacks a definite shape and crystal structure. Opals are made of millions of minuscule hydrated silica spheres that refract light and create spectral colors. When light shines through gaps between these spheres, it is split into a spectrum of new shades, which gives Opal its rainbow-esque appearance. 

 



The Rich History of Opal

 

Opals symbolize hope, purity, and innocence. They are connotated with happiness, loyalty, faithfulness, and confidence. The ancient Romans considered Opal a symbol of hope and good fortune. They noticed that Opals looked like rainbows, which also brought them good luck, and they found the same adoration in these beautiful gemstones. Powerful Ancient Roman emperors, known as Caesars, often gifted these luxurious gemstones to their wives to bestow them with good luck. Ancient Roman Scholar, Pliny the Elder, observed that some opals carry the richest colors of an artist’s palette, some glow with the flaming fire of burning sulfur, and some glisten with a kaleidoscope of other gems. 

 

The Ancient Greeks believed that Opals were formed from the tears of joy that Zeus wept when he defeated the Titans. In fact, Opals do form from falling water—rain! Water from the sky seeps down into crevasses in rock formations of the Earth’s crust and evaporates. What is left behind is silica, which dries and hardens into the precious Opal that we know and love. This is why the gemstone consists of a significant amount of water. Each stone of Opal often contains from 3% to 21% of water by weight! Due to their high amounts of water and porous, soft structures, Opals are fragile and must be handled with care. To wash delicate Opals, be sure to use warm water, gentle soap, and a soft brush or cloth.

 

 

 

The power and beauty of Opal was widely noticed by various groups of people around the world and throughout history. Australian Indigenous people believe that Opal is our creator’s footprint. They tell us that this powerful gemstone touched the Earth at the base of a rainbow to bring harmony. The Ancient Greeks believed that Opal bestowed prophetic powers. Arabic legend says that it fell from the Heavens in flashes of lightning! Even Queen Victoria’s favorite gemstone was Opal. Despite having Rubies, Sapphires, and Diamonds from all over the British Empire, she treasured and adored her colorful Opals the most. 

 

Le Vian’s Signature Neopolitan Opals™

 

The Le Vian Rainbow™ collection features this new, exclusive Opal set with a matching necklace, ring, and earrings. This set is adorned with center stones of Le Vian Neopolitan Opal™. Each Opal is embraced by an array of gemstones: Blueberry Sapphire™, Bubble Gum Pink Sapphire™, Spessartite, Yellow Sapphire, Forest Green Tsavorite™, and Dark Amethyst. This array forms the beautiful, radiant rainbow that hugs each of the Opals! In between each gemstone is a Nude Diamond™, empowering the luminosity of the pieces. This Opal set was featured in the Le Vian 2022 Trend Forecast, and these pieces were featured within the Positivity trend. This set is a wearable representation of rainbows—powerful symbols of rebirth, hope, and pride. Set your eyes on these pieces below! 





One of our most radiant sets is this pear-shaped Le Vian Neopolitan Opal™ duo. This pair features a necklace and ring, each set in rich 14k Honey Gold. The center stones are bright, pastel-toned Opals with hues of soft turquoise, blush pink, and aquamarine blue. The settings form floral-esque structures, eloquently framing the Opals. Each petal of gold is embellished with a luminous Nude Diamond™. These Neopolitan Opals™ are pear-shaped, adding to the warm and peaceful tone of this set. This ring is a perfect gift for a loved one’s birthday or holiday, and even as an alternative engagement ring (to be worn with delicacy and care). The radiant, light hues and diamonds of a traditional engagement ring are present, with soft splashes of feminine color. View this shining set below!



Embracing the Optimism of Opal

 

In this month of October, take time to embrace and get accustomed to the seasonal change. Enter the fall with newfound hope and confidence powered by gentle, balancing opals. The autumnal period brings new environments and opportunities. Cooler weather encourages a change in wardrobe from bright tank tops and midi dresses to knit sweaters and corduroy pants. Clearer evening skies make way for experiences like stargazing for constellations. Fall activities such as apple picking, pumpkin patch exploration, pastry baking, and candle-lit relaxation can calm you and connect you with the season. Creating to-do lists and focusing on your goals and aspirations can ground you in confidence and happiness and harmonize you with the values of Opal. 

 

Enhance your October with Le Vian Neopolitan Opal, and enjoy all of the joy that the month has to bring. Spend time with the ones you love and embrace the loyalty and faithfulness cultivated by this gemstone. Wear your Opals with any outfit to bring light to the months where the darkness sets in early. This month and every month, foster hope, happiness, purity, and confidence, and let your Neopolitan Opals™ shine with all the hues of the rainbow!