Hello October! - Fall Activities, Change and Birthstones

Can you believe it's October already?? Where does the time go?!

What are some of your favorite things about this month? I think the sunlight shines differently and the air has a crisper smell to it. I love the flavors of Fall and the end of the season harvest. I guess I shouldn't go trick or treating since I don't have kids but I'm totally going to carve a pumpkin, probably by myself haha... 

According to the American Gem Society, October has 2 birthstones: tourmaline and opal. Both of these stones are a perfect fit for this month of changes! Tourmaline comes in an array of colors. Occasionally a specimen will feature 2 or 3 colors in one. One of the most well-known versions on tri-color tourmaline is called "Watermelon Tourmaline." As I'm sure you can infer, it features pink, white and green colors and resembles a slice of watermelon.

Opal got its name from the Greek term Opallos, meaning "to see a change (of color)." How cool is that? I can't think of a better term for an October birthstone. 

Opals are formed by non-crystalline silica gel that seeps into spaces between sedimentary layers. Over time, the gel hardens into the form of opals composed of particles closely packed in spherical arrangements, giving opal its "fire." 

Happy October Everyone! Looking forward to a great month!

Bye for now!

- Lisa

https://www.americangemsociety.org/en/october-birthstones