Usually, a month is given a second birthstone if the first gem becomes rarer or less accessible with time. That might be the case here, as the traditional October birthstone of opal largely originates from one country: Australia. Over 95% of the world’s precious opal gemstones comes from Australia, due to the unique geographical properties of their land interacting with silica from rainfall.
They are also mined in Mexico, Brazil, Honduras, Ethiopia, the Czech Republic, and parts of America, but the name “Australian opal” carries with it a lot of weight and value in the jewellery world.
The name ‘opal’ comes from the Greek word opallios, which means ‘to see a change in colour’, an apt description of the stone’s ability to “shift” in different kinds of light. That being said, most opals are categorised by their main body colour, like black, white, and pink opals for example.
There have been several famous opals and their wearers throughout history. Queen Elizabeth II (and the British Royal treasury) is one example, and the Andamooka Opal is the largest opal gemstone that we know of in their possession. Standing at a whopping 203 carats, the Andamooka Opal was cut from a raw piece found in 1949 at the Andamooka opal fields in Australia. It was then set into a necklace, earrings, and cufflinks (for Prince Phillip) and given to Queen Elizabeth on her Commonwealth tour to Australia in 1954. She wore it to the banquet held there, but unfortunately the Andamooka Opal has not been sighted on the neck of any royal since.
Before the Andamooka Opal, Queen Elizabeth was given the Australian Opal Spray Brooch as a wedding gift by the Returned Sailors’, Soldiers’, and Airmen’s Imperial League of Australia. This piece, set in gold with black opals and diamonds, is a representation of Australia with its materials and design, and was one of the few jewels that she was spotted wearing multiple times, and more often in her later years.
Elvis Presley was also a known opal lover. He owned several opal signet rings, the most unique of which is set with a large cabochon fire opal. At least two other opal pieces, both yellow gold signet rings set with a large white opal surrounded by diamonds, have been put up for auction alongside other jewellery from his estate. Interestingly, most of these rings have been worn on stage too, making them a part of rock and roll history.
If you’re looking for an opal to channel your energies and attract hope, clarity and purity – or if you just love the look of this kaleidoscopic stone – here are some jewellery options you can get your hands on.
Cartier
Polymorph bracelet
If you’re sporting this 18K yellow gold and 18K white gold bracelet, which comes with lapis, onyx, opals, emeralds, blue sapphires and 321 diamonds from Cartier, you’re not just representing your birth month, you’re also making an eye-catching statement.
Chaumet
Hortensia Eden watch
This jewellery watch by Chaumet features a fine Australian opal as its dial, with blue and green fires taking all the attention. The white gold and diamonds on the rest of the watch are truly just to accent the opal and make it pop more.
Louis Vuitton
Colour Blossom pendant
For the Colour Blossom collection, which is a tribute to the brand’s monogram flower motif, Louis Vuitton chose pink opal as the centre gem. The result is feminine, minimal, and iconically LV too.
BVLGARI
Bvlgari Bvlgari necklace
The Bvlgari Bvlgari necklace comprises 18kt rose gold set with mother-of-pearl, pink opal, tiger’s eye, malachite and carnelian elements, to create a piece inspired by the brand’s Roman heritage while being strikingly modern.
Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany T Diamond and Pink Opal Circle Pendant
Fans of the Tiffany T know all about its symbolism as an expression of love’s endless potential. For this pendant, the highly coveted pink opal sits in the centre with the Tiffany T design circled around it and inlaid with diamonds. A subtle piece that is made to sit over your heart and remind you of love.
Dior
Rose des Vents Earrings
Pink gold and pink opals are a truly stunning combination, and its use here with Dior’s Rose des Vents design is truly timeless. The Rose des Vents (or wind rose) is a reinterpretation of Christian Dior’s lucky star, immortalised in fine jewellery to bring you luck too.
W dior.com
Explore more of our monthly birthstone series here.
Header image: Opal Information
Product images courtesy of respective brands.