Birthstones/October?

Question

The birthstone for October is actually Opal, why do a lot of companies make things with October's birthstone Pink Zirconium?

Answer 1

Opals tend to be fragile.

The opal is a fragile hydrated silica material, made of submicroscopic silica spheres held together by more silica and water. It is a soft stone, easily altered in appearance by changes in heat and pressure. This mineral contains varying amounts of water within it that determine the appearance of the gemstone. When water evaporates out of an opal, the stone appears slightly smaller and the stress of the evaporation creates cracks on it.

There is also a lot of mystery and superstition surrounding the opan:
To ancient Romans, the opal was a symbol of love and hope. Orientals called it the "anchor of hope." Arabs say it fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning. It was believed to make its wearer invisible, hence the opal was the talisman of thieves and spies.

During the Medieval period, a change in color intensity of an opal was believed to indicated if its wearer was ill or in good health. The opal was supposed to maintain a strong heart, prevent fainting, protect against infection, and cleanse foul-smelling air. The stone, as in ancient times, was still regarded as a symbol of hope.

But the opal's reputation changed in the mid-14th century. The Black Death swept across Europe, killing one quarter of its population. The gem was believed to be the cause of death. When worn by someone struck with the deadly plague, it would appear brilliant only until the person died. Then it would change in appearance, losing its luster. In reality, it was the sensitivity of this stone to changes in temperature that altered its appearance, as the heat from a burning fever gave way to the chill of death.

In Elizabethan England, the opal was treasured for its beauty. Shakespeare wrote of it in the Twelfth Night as the "queen of gems." Queen Victoria presented her children with opal jewelry, thus making the the stone popular. But the stone continued to have a mixed reputation, chiefly due to a novel written by Sir Walter Scott in 1887 that depicted it as a stone of evil.

Answer 2

My mother has bought over 4 mother rings, which has each birthstone for each member of the family, and she got them from different stores. October is pink. It is my brothers birthstone. Opal is June, I looked around for mother rings myself, and wherever I go it's always the same. By the way my Husband was born in June, thats how I knew that one.

Answer 3

Birthstones for the calendar month of October are opal, tourmaline, jasper, aquamarine, coral, and beryl.

The Zodiac signs of Libra and Scorpio include eight additional stones: peridot, sapphire, lapis, agate, topaz, garnet, ruby, and amethyst.

Love & Blessings
Milly

Answer 4

Its also Pink Zirconium . I am a Libra also and have 1 of each... Aren't we the most Sexiest, loving, romantic, people in the Zodiac :)?

Answer 5

2 reasons:
1. - Opals are very expensive, Rose Zircon is not
2.- Old wives tale that opals are bad luck (unless it is your birthstone)

Answer 6

http://www.bernardine.com/birthstone/october.htm

Answer 7

i'm not really sure, but there are a few other months that have more than one stone.