Evening star., 1921-10-06
If Your Birthday
Comes in October

One might as we'll imagine that to see
a pin and not pick 1t up Is sign that
i'll luck is in store throughout the day as
to feel any danger In wearing the opal
yet as a matter of fact. so strong Is the
superstition among us that jewelers. fire.
auently have on hand opals of really
great value, for which they could not
possibly find q purchaser. Fortunately,
then, for the superstitious folk who are
born in October there is choice OF
stones for that month. and though the
opal is by far the most beautiful Of the
three stones. the alternatives in the
form Of the beryl and the aquamarine
are not without their admirers too.
To many persons the opal seems the
most beautiful of all precious stones,
and no wonder it was early i'll history
ascribed with magical influences. since
it seems to hold within itself all the
other gems. 1t is indeed natural
prism, combining within itself an
original beauty and a fellowship with
all the other stones; at one moment
shedding the pale light of The moon,
at the next flashing as the sun. One
old writer wrote many centuries ago OF
the opal thus: 1t has in it the bright,
fiery flame of a carbuncle. the pure re-
fulgent purple of an amethyst. ana a
whole sea of the emerald's spring glory
of virescency, and every one OF them
shining with an incredible mixture ana
very much pleasure.
The idea that the opal was an un-
lucky stone is not Of great antiquity.
and it was called opal. derived from the
Greek meaning eye, because 1t ives be-
lieved to be helpful in restoring sight.
and it was said to have the property
the holder invisible. For this reason it
was highly regarded by thieves or those
who sought to work in secrecy.
Among the very valuable opais. was
one in the French crown jewels Ethat
was valued once at $4,000. Fifty years
price as 100000, and there was one In
the Austrian crown jewels said to weigh
seventeen ounces, though it is not OF the
finest quality.
One thing that ought to commend the
opal especially is the fact that it is Still
almost impossible to initiate It At one
time it was said to be the only precious
stone that defied imitation. 1t is, as a
matter of fact, nothing but a form of
quartz. The exquisite color is caused
by myriad cracks in which water a.dd
air produce prismic effects. -.
In spite of the fact that opals are
very frequently set with diamonds, it is
a stone that really looks best when set
with no other stone. If set with less
brilliant stones it's wonderful anipation
robs them Of their charm. and If set with
brilliant diamonds much is taken from
it's own play of colors.
The beryl. though of small value. is
pretty greenish or blush yellow stone,
that is frequently used in seal rings.
Sometimes it is found in pretty rose
color. and it has been mined in Con-
nectieut and Alabama.
For the person born in October who
wishes to have a ring showing the
stone of his guardian angel and apostle
for the month "a quaint old custom;
worth reviving- 1T is worth knowing
that for the angel named BARREL agate
is the stone, and for the apostle Simon
jacinth is selected. The combination,
though symbolic, might not be alto
gether pleasing. The hop, anciently
used as the symbolic flower of the
month. is sometimes used as the design
in an ornamental gold ring, for persons
born in October.