October Birthstone Jewelry

12 Oct October Birthstone Jewelry

There is something particularly thoughtful about giving the gift of birthstone jewelry. It shows that you want to give a gift that is uniquely meaningful to the recipient. 

Birthstone jewelry has a long history. As the Farmers’ Almanac tells us, “While some sources such as 1st Century Roman-Jewish historian Josephus tell us birthstones originated on the breastplate of Aaron, with each representing the 12 months of the year and accruing 12 signs of the zodiac, others say the breastplate’s stones signified each of the 12 tribes of Israel. Eighth and 9th Century religious treaties were written associating particular stones with apostles.”

Folklore often associates various birthstones with certain properties. Take February’s birthstone, the amethyst, for example. “An amethyst reportedly aids in reduction of insomnia, arthritis, circulatory and pain issues,” the Farmers’ Almanac says. “It is thought to promote peace, balance, courage, and inner strength.”

Birthstone Jewelry for October 

The traditional birthstone for October is the opal. Jewelry made with opals makes a wonderful gift (for yourself or someone dear to you!) because each stone is as unique as the person who will be wearing it.

As the International Gem Society says, “Opals are in a class by themselves. As a species, opal is so unique its patterns have their own descriptive vocabulary. More than any other gem, each opal is distinctly individual. Opals are also the most delicate gemstones commonly worn and require special care.”

While the concept of birthstones has a long rich history, the list of gemstones varied throughout time, based on what stones were available in the marketplace and what the general style of the day was. “In 1912, the National Association of Jewelers standardized the list, which was updated in 1952 by the Jewelry Industry Council of America,” the folks at the Farmers’ Almanac tell us. 

In that updated list, October was one of three months to receive a second stone. In this case, pink tourmaline. 

A pawnshop, such as Barry’s Pawn & Jewelry in Boca Raton, can be an excellent place to shop for beautiful birthstone jewelry. If you have questions regarding availability , please feel free to contact us.