Opal
Said to bring creativity and hope.
Birth month crystals: Tourmaline
Shop opal
Meaning & lore
The Romans called it opalus, a word that meant precious stone, and saw it as a symbol of love and hope. The Roman scholar Pliny wrote in 75 AD that opal holds the colors of ruby, emerald, topaz, sapphire and amethyst all at once. The ancient Greeks believed opal gave its owner the gift of prophecy and guarded against disease, and for most of history it was thought the luckiest of gems. The idea that opal is unlucky is often traced to a 19th-century novel by Sir Walter Scott, not to any ancient belief. Tourmaline is the other October birthstone.
Caring for opal
Opal is soft and delicate (Mohs 5.5 to 6.5) and contains water, so it is sensitive to heat and sudden temperature changes. Never use an ultrasonic or steam cleaner. Wipe it with a damp soft cloth or rinse it briefly in warm soapy water, and do not soak it. Store it away from harder stones and extreme heat.
Birth flower: Marigold
A symbol of warmth and creativity.