Opal sparkles and flashes in all the colors of the rainbow. Because it contains so many colors, ancient peoples once believed that opals possessed the powers of every other gemstone combined. Though we now know this isn’t true, opals still hold some of their mysticism thanks to their one-of-a-kind beauty. The October birthstone may come in shades of white, black, or orange. Opals are a softer gem and should be handled with extra care.
November’s orange birthstone is aptly named. Citrine can be found in a spectrum of hues, from yellowish orange to deep amber. Citrine was once called “the merchant’s stone” because it was believed to attract prosperity. In nature, it sometimes grows together with amethyst, creating stunning orange and purple crystals known as ametrines.
Ancient Egyptians believed that tourmaline traveled to Earth via a rainbow. That would certainly explain the tourmaline's wide range of colors! This gemstone is often found in pink, green, or a mix of the two. The pink-and-green variety of tourmaline can be found in California, and is called watermelon tourmaline. Pink tourmaline is an alternate birthstone for October.
December’s birthstone is turquoise–the only gemstone with a color named after it. It is found in dry, arid climates, including the deserts of Iran and the American Southwest. Turquoise was once believed to make the wearer invincible. Some Native American tribes shared a legend that turquoise fell from the sky. Nowadays, its bright color brings us cheer year-round.
