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Opal is October's Birthstone and the gemstone is also given to commemorate a 14th wedding anniversary.

The word "opal" for this dynamic gemstone was derived from the Greek word "opallus" which means to see a change in color…because it is, after all, opal's ability to refract and reflect specific wavelengths of light that make it so special. In fact, there are more than a dozen varieties of fiery and iridescent opals.

Opal is a non-crystallized silica, a mineral found near the earth's surface in areas where ancient geothermal hot springs once existed. Romans called the magnificent gemstone "Cupid Paederos," meaning a child as beautiful as love. They believed that opals fell to earth from the heavens in a flash of lightening.

Birthstone Properties: Enhances insight and dispels fear.

More about Opals - http://www.birthday-horoscopes.net/october-opal.htm

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Opals are amorphous and composed of hydrated silicone dioxide. They have a good amount of water in them anywhere from 3%-7% on average some even to 20% or so. Thus they are prone to cracking or splitting when they dry out. Also because they are quite fragile they are prone to chipping and breaking, if hit directly with force on the stone. You should always wear Opal jewelry with care.

Here are a few things to pay attention to, to ensure longer wear of opal jewelry. Never leave the jewelry out in the open. The air will dry out the stones thus the cracking and splitting. (If you look at the Gem at high magnification you can check to see if the stone already has cracks or fissures in them).

Keep the jewelry after wear sealed or wrapped in a soft cloth. Nothing abrasive because they are soft stones. You can also wipe often with a soft damp cloth.

Never expose them to high heat or lights because this too can cause cracking. If the metal does not tarnish, I might even suggest you keeping them in a small plastic jewelers bag, with a few drops of distilled water, to keep the stone hydrated.

With care, you're opal jewelry will last a long time.

admin answers:

Opals are more fragile than other typical ring gemstones. I don't suggest wearing a piece of opal jewelry all the time. Of course, your engagement ring, I imagine, will be replaced with a wedding ring....

Another thing to consider is the construction of the stone itself. Opals are made in what are known as singles, doublets and triplets. Singles are one solid piece of stone (very expensive and not common). Doublets are made by joining two pieces of stone together, and triplets are made by joining three pieces of stone together. Doublets and triplets are much more common, and more fragile, than singles.

Knowing what kind of stone you have will help you in deciding if it's fit for daily wear, and how to care for it. I had a lovely, large triplet opal that I bought while in Australia. It cracked very easily, with a large chunk coming out. Sometimes chips can be repaired, but not always, and you don't always have the broken piece to use in the repair.

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Solid opal should be cleaned gently with mild detergent in warm water and a soft toothbrush or cloth. Avoid bleach, chemicals and cleaners. Doublets & triplets may be wiped with a damp soft cloth and mild detergent, but should never be soaked or immersed.

Never allow anyone to clean your opal in an ultrasonic cleaner, as the intense vibrations may cause cracking in a solid opal, and water penetration in a doublet or triplet.

If your stone loses its shine or becomes scratched, bring it back to an opal cutter. After years of wear, small scratches and scuff marks cause an opal to lose its shiny polish and become dull looking. Professional polishing can bring new life to an opal which has become dull or scratched, and we can also check for claw damage and ensure the security of the setting.

And finally, if you have any uncertainty about cleaning the opal ring yourself, take it to your jeweler for cleaning...