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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.
October Birthstones:

Rose Zircon

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

Zircon is a compound of oxides of silicon and zirconium, is fairly hard so as be faceted and polished to a brilliant luster, and has better clarity and fewer fissures or inclusions than tourmaline.

Zircon is more strongly refracting than any other precious stone with the exception of diamond. So brilliant are the colorless or pale-colored hyacinth Zircons, that such stones found at Matura in Ceylon in the eighteenth century were know as "Matura Diamonds".

Most Zircons are heated to change or enhance their color. Attractive Rose Zircon is available in a faint pink to a dark rose hue.
Judy Ellis's October Birthstones - Rose Zircon, Pink Tourmaline and Opal - , General Education, Design, , Pink Zircon
Judy Ellis's October Birthstones - Rose Zircon, Pink Tourmaline and Opal - , General Education, Design, , Pink Heart Zircon ring
Opal

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

Because of its amorphous character, it is classed as a mineraloid, unlike the other crystalline forms of silica, which are classed as minerals

Opal can occur in many colors including white, colorless, pale yellow, pale red, gray, brown and black. Diffraction can cause flashes of any color of the rainbow which can be seen in opal's color play. Yellow, blue and green are most common, whereas violet, red and orange are the rarest colors seen through play of color.

Opalescence is usually milky blue in color, but it can occur in rarer colors. The saturation of body color, the play of color and the transparency determine an opal's value.

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

The light red to pink tourmaline is the birthstone for the month of October and the gemstone representing the 8th wedding anniversary. It was once believed that it protects the wearer against bad decisions, many dangers, and misfortune. It is also known to attract friends and lovers.

Tourmaline is a silicate of very complicated composition, is very brittle with most crystals penetrated by numerous irregular cracks and fissures. It varies in transparency and color to a considerable extent, with perfectly clear and faultless specimens being rare and commanding a high price.

It is found around the world, from the Ural mountains (where on account of its resemblance to ruby it is known as Siberian Ruby), to Brazil (the principal locality for green tourmaline), to the more common pale rose-red or dark carmine color red found both in Burma and in Maine in the United States.
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, , Rough Gemstone Tourmaline
Judy Ellis's October Birthstones - Rose Zircon, Pink Tourmaline and Opal - , General Education, Design, , Tourmaline beads

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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