Gifting birthstones in the form of jewelry items is a widely accepted tradition that has been in practice for a long time.
Birthstones bring good luck, health, wealth, prosperity, and other benefits to the wearer. Because of their affiliation with nature, specific birthstones have supernatural powers linked to the heavens and angelic blessings.
Many people know that birthstones are gems that represent the month a person was born in or their zodiac sign. But what exactly is the origin of birthstones, and what were they used before being assigned to each month?
Origin of Birthstones
According to some scholars, birthstones have religious roots. They date back to the twelve stones of the Breastplate of Aaron, which are highlighted in the Book of Exodus. The twelve stones were said to represent the twelve tribes of Israel.
Later, the twelve stones were linked to the different zodiac and star signs. They eventually became official stones for each month of the calendar year.
Different cultures have their own set of birthstones with different meanings, instructions, and connotations. Some cultures believe that wearing a birthstone that does not belong to your month will bring you a bad fortune, while others have rules on which stones can be worn together to avoid curses and ill-luck.
But the general belief is that wearing your birthstone has a lot of benefits. It is sure to bring you love, favor, good fortune, and healing to you and others around you.
For October, we are going to be looking at the following gemstones;
● Opal
● Tourmaline
● Labradorite
● Tiger's Eye
● Onyx
● Turquoise
Opal
Opal is known as the official birthstone for October.
Throughout history, the Opal gemstone was thought to bring good fortune to the wearer. The Ancient Romans called it the "symbol of hope" and believed it was one of the luckiest gems on Earth.
Opal is associated with creativity, self-worth, protection, and memory retention. It is also beneficial in treating physical ailments like eye problems, infertility, sexual disorders, impotence, infections, and fever. It helps to purify the blood, make childbirth more effortless, and ease PMS. The gem offers a sense of calm and deep tranquility, which is helpful if you tend to overthink or suffer from insomnia.
Opal can be found in locations like Brazil, Mexico, Honduras, and the Western part of the United States. It is also the official gemstone of Australia.
Tourmaline
Tourmaline is the second official stone assigned to October.
The gemstone has different colors, including; green, black, red, yellow, white, Grey, and Orange, but the most valued colors are the vivid electric green, neon-like blue, and copper-shade stones.
Tourmaline creates a shield that prevents negative energy, thoughts, and unwanted visitors from coming close to you. It deflects negative aura, transmuting them to positive emotions, ideas, and feelings.
The gemstone attracts happiness, bravery, self-confidence and also helps in overcoming anxiety and paranoia. Tourmaline is a balance of yin and yang used to stabilize and reassert our roots to the Earth.
Tourmaline can be found worldwide in places like the United States, Russia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, with significant mine deposits in Brazil and other countries in Africa, including Tanzania, Nigeria, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, and Namibia.
Labradorite
Labradorite is a crystal with a pearl-like sheen that is associated with purposefulness.
The energy of the gemstone revitalizes, renews, and gives you a new sense of purpose. One of the benefits of Labradorite is that it helps you figure out solutions to problems, develop new ideas and boost your enthusiasm when you feel down and unmotivated.
Labradorite healing aura relieves PMS, pain, and cramps and provides soothing relief to arthritis, gout, and rheumatic aches. It acts as a comforting balm to people dealing with grief or trying to cope with the loss of a loved one. The gemstone expels distractions and is used to achieve a calm and well-grounded mind during meditation sessions.
Large deposits of Labradorite can be found in Paul's Island, Canada. Smaller deposits have also been found worldwide in countries like the United States, Norway, Finland, Madagascar, China, Australia, Russia, Sri Lanka, and Slovakia.
Tiger’s Eye
One of the birthstones for October, Tiger's Eye, is a stone of protection.
Traditionally, it was worn as an amulet to ward off evil forces, ill-wishes and keep the wearer away from evil. The gemstone is also believed to possess healing properties that promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. It helps to get rid of fear, anxiety, and depression.
The gemstone's warmth inspires courage and self-awareness and dispels toxic energy to provide you with the ray of sunshine you need to be confident every day.
Tiger's Eye is abundant in South Africa, Western Australia, Burma, India, Namibia, Brazil, and the United States.
Onyx
Much like the Tiger's Eye, the Onyx is used as a charm to protect a person from evil.
The Onyx gemstone is associated with strength, vigor, stamina, steadfastness, self-confidence, and vitality. It enhances self-control, mental clarity, positivity, and balance.
When you need to break from a bad habit or leave a toxic relationship, it gives you the courage to move on and start afresh. It helps you to make positive choices and changes that will, in return, benefit your life for good. Onyx healing abilities are used to treat bone disorders and are also beneficial for the feet and teeth.
The gemstone can be found in different regions, including Australia, Brazil, Yemen, Canada, India, Greece, Argentina, and Uruguay.
Turquoise
The calm color of the Turquoise gemstone, akin to the color of the sea, is linked with meanings of cleansing, refreshing, invigorating, wholeness, emotional balance, centeredness, grounding, patience, love, and joy. It is also a purification stone that dissipates and wards off negative energy, disturbances that affect mental clarity and tranquility.
The Turquoise gemstone lends a healing hand to problems in the throat area like respiratory issues, throat infection, and allergies. It also helps to treat rheumatism and also inflammatory issues.
The most common regions where Turquoise can be found are Egypt, Iran, Northwest China, and Mexico.
