Celtic Birthstone - Opal

The Celtic birthstone opal represents Sept 30th to Oct 27th in the Celtic chart. The name of this sign is Geadh and has the ivy as its tree.

We hope these suggestions will help you...

Opal Jewelry

There are any pieces of jewelry to choose from. Including pendants, earrings and rings. Create your own to make it a more personal gift.

Opal Cuff Links

Find a nice pair of opal cuff links for the man in your life. A matching tie pin will make this great gift for someone.

Opalescent Vases

Opalescent vases are available and look attractive whatever the color flower in them. This would make a nice alternative gift for the opal.

Celtic Birthstone Opal Books

Look out for books with 'opal' in the title or the author has 'Opal' as a name. The 'Opal Cowan Trilogy', three books written by Maria V. Snyder may make an ideal gift.

Facts How Opals Are Formed

Opals show beautiful opalescence and have many colors. Opal ranges from colorless through white, milky blue, grey, red, yellow, green, brown and black. They are hydrated silicon dioxide. The water content is sometimes as high as 20% but is usually between 3% and 10%. The word opal means 'precious stone'. Given the texture of opals, they can be quite difficult to polish to a reasonable lustre.

Around 95% of the world's opal comes from Australia. The town of Coober Pedy in South Australia is a major source. Common, water, jelly, and the beautiful fire opal are found mostly in Mexico and Mesoamerica. Lightning Ridge, another Australian town, in New South Wales, is the main source of black opal, opal containing a predominantly dark background.

Opals are one of the mineraloids that can form or replace fossils. The resulting fossils, though not of any extra scientific interest, appeal to collectors.

The Romans used opals, but these possibly came form Czechoslovakia where it occurs in the crevices of andesite (a fine grained rock free from quartz) found near hot springs.

The opal may also represent the zodiac sign of Gemini.

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