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October Birthstones - Rose Zircon, Pink Tourmaline and Opal

by Judy Ellis
Today I thought we'd take a quick look at birthstone colors and particularly the ones associated with October; Rose Zircon, Pink Tourmaline & Opal.

Birthstone: Rose Zircon

The brighter deeper rose colored Rose Zircon offers an alternative to tourmaline.

The brighter, deeper rose-colored Rose Zircon offers a beautiful alternative to Tourmaline.

Zircon is a compound of silicon and zirconium oxides. It's fairly hard, allowing it to be faceted and polished to a brilliant luster. It also has better clarity and fewer fissures or inclusions than Tourmaline.
Judy Ellis's October Birthstones - Rose Zircon, Pink Tourmaline and Opal - , General Education, Design, , Pink Zircon
Zircon is more strongly refractive than any other precious stone except diamond. In fact, the colorless or pale-colored hyacinth Zircons found at Matura in Ceylon during the eighteenth century were known as "Matura Diamonds."

Most Zircons are heat-treated to change or enhance their color.

Attractive Rose Zircon ranges from a faint pink to a deep, dark rose hue.
Judy Ellis's October Birthstones - Rose Zircon, Pink Tourmaline and Opal - , General Education, Design, , Pink Heart Zircon ring

Birthstone: Opal

Opal is a hydrated, amorphous form of silica. Its water content can range from 3 to 21% by weight but is usually between 6 and 10%.

Because it lacks a crystalline structure, Opal is classified as a mineraloid rather than a true mineral like other forms of silica.

Opal occurs in a wide range of colors including white, colorless, pale yellow, pale red, gray, brown, and black. Diffraction within the stone can create flashes of rainbow colors-this is known as its "play of color."

Yellow, blue, and green flashes are the most common.
Violet, red, and orange are the rarest and most prized.
Judy Ellis's October Birthstones - Rose Zircon, Pink Tourmaline and Opal - , General Education, Design, , opal birth stone
Opalescence is typically a milky blue but can appear in other hues. The value of an Opal depends on the saturation of its body color, the intensity of its play of color, and its overall transparency.

Pictured: A Stacking Ring Set from our Beginner Metalworking 101 DVD Series featuring an Opal stone set in the center ring.
Judy Ellis's October Birthstones - Rose Zircon, Pink Tourmaline and Opal - , General Education, Design, , opal ring

Birthstone: Pink Tourmaline

The light red to pink Tourmaline is the birthstone for October and the gemstone representing the 8th wedding anniversary.

It was once believed to protect the wearer from bad decisions, danger, and misfortune. It's also said to attract friends and lovers.
Judy Ellis's October Birthstones - Rose Zircon, Pink Tourmaline and Opal - , General Education, Design, , Pink Tourmaline
Judy Ellis's October Birthstones - Rose Zircon, Pink Tourmaline and Opal - , General Education, Design, , Tourmaline beads
Tourmaline is a silicate with a complex composition. It's quite brittle, with most crystals containing numerous cracks and fissures. Its transparency and color vary greatly, and flawless specimens are rare and highly valued.

Tourmaline is found all over the world-from the Ural Mountains, where it's called the "Siberian Ruby" for its resemblance to ruby, to Brazil, the main source of green Tourmaline.

Pale rose-red and deep carmine varieties are also found in Burma and Maine, USA.
Judy Ellis's October Birthstones - Rose Zircon, Pink Tourmaline and Opal - , General Education, Design, , rough gemstone tourmaline

Materials

Sterling Silver Chain w/ Stone Tourmaline 3 - 4mm - 5 Feet
C8-198U
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $47.70
  • Gold Club Price: $35.78
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6 x 6mm Heart Pink Rose CZ - Pack of 2
E5-86P
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $1.95
  • Gold Club Price: $1.46
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Metalworking 101 DVD 3 Supply Kit
KIT-MWDVD3
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $29.97
  • Gold Club Price: $22.48
Out of Stock
Pink Rose Cubic Zirconia
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4mm Round Cubic Zirconia Complete 12 Birthstone Set
E10-1G
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $6.00
  • Gold Club Price: $4.50
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6mm Round Cubic Zirconia Birthstone Set
E10-1H
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.06
  • Gold Club Price: $9.05
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8mm Round Cubic Zirconia Complete 12 Birthstone Set
E10-1I
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $23.74
  • Gold Club Price: $17.81
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Swarovski Crystal Beads
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Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $170.72
  • Gold Club Price: $128.04
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Bench Tools
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  • Category: General Education
  • Technique(s): Design, General Education

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