Opal

October Gem

Opals

October's Gem

Opal

I was asked recently: Are Opals precious?

Later I was asked: Where, where are Opals?

And in the in-between time, I was asked: Are Opals worth much?

I answer: Oh, people, I know well that the Latin word for Opal is Opalus meaning precious stone.

Oh, and I also know that Opal has been found on Mars! Yes. Truth!

On our planet, it is in Australia that most Opal is found. It is Opal, that country's national Gemstone.

Oh, the Black Opal, mesmerizing beauty that shows every colour of the rainbow at changing light. Extravagant, understated luxury rivals the flawless diamond in monetary value. Oh, yes, people, Black Opals are worth much!

The question most asked: Why? Why is Opal the traditional Gemstone for the month of October?

I answer: Famous are Opals for their"play of colours". Oh, yes the stones flash the colours of yellows and reds against the pearly whites. See the changing colours of the leaves in autumnal season during the month of October.

Oh, yes the spectacular black Opal that sometimes flashes green, blue and red is reminiscent of the contrast created against a dramatic indigo sky and the tree canopies festooned in the warm colours of the colour spectrum. Famously, the most valuable Opal pattern is the "Harlequin", large angular patches of red, yellow and green resembling the checks on a clown's costume.

Oh, yes, I answer the Opal is the best choice for the October Gemstone. 

Curious About Birthstones?

Read Septeber's post.

October

October

October

October

The October moon is brighter The sun
Less so
Transition month Prepares for winter's cold within the cozy hearth
Peace
Serenity
Beauty
Come, it whispers, Step into the pinks of morning sun and the reds of evening light
Touch the wet browns of the meadow grass
Listen to the sound of the ochre and the umber of the leaf as it lands
Taste the reds in the harvest
See the blacks in the wings of the migrant bird
Smell the purples in the wine
October

Read more of Lucia's poetry...

We recommend 'September'.

September Gem

Sapphire

September's Gem

Be aware that the sapphire is rich in colour, regal in personality, refractive in its facets, brilliant in its attraction

Be aware that the sapphire is a member of the big four gemstones: diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires

Be aware that the sapphire is all blues, inky blue, light blue, barely there blue, cornflower blue

Oh, that cornflower blue, clean and intense, and oh, that cornflower blue with a very understated hint of violet is the best and most valuable of the blues.

Be aware
Be tempted
Possess it.

 

Curious About Birthstones?

Read August's post.

Peridot

Peridot Gemstones

Peridot & Diamond Pendant

Genuine Peridot
&
Diamond Earrings

Peridot

August's Gem

Your name, Peridot, is derived from the ancient Greek Peridona, "to give richness", and oh, how rich your attraction, Peridot!

It is, it, that signature green colour, that names you "gem of the sun" by the ancient Egyptians

The Greeks of Old know you by your other title, chrysolite and name you "Goldstone"

Peridot, you are Cleopatra's favourite gem for she believed in your ability to instill power and influence

Peridot gem, you are a thing of Beauty. Your visual allure captivates, pleases and holds

Peridot gem, you are a testament to Durability, set it en cabochon you withstand the test of time.

Peridot gem, your Rarity of colour is the strongest indicator of value.

Peridot!

 

Curious About Birthstones?

Read July's post.

Four Butterflies

Four Butterflies

Take an ordinary Tuesday, place it in September, make it follow the Labour Day Monday and suddenly the ordinary becomes extraordinary!

Today, the Four Butterflies: Eagerness, Anxiety, Novelty and Excitement, debut in both seasoned and novice Scholars.

They, the Four Butterflies, flutter in hearts of Instructors and Master Teachers.

It is They, the Four Butterflies, that make this Tuesday extraordinary.

Remember Scholars, One and All, to embrace the Four Butterflies, engage in the dance: spiral, soar, dip, twirl, spread wide your own wings ... be ... extraordinary!

Happy New Academic Year Everyone

Read more of Lucia's poetry...

We recommend 'September'.

September

September

Resolute September clings to linen trousers as It anticipates wool cardigans
It prepares us, September does, for the transition from summer into fall
Its brilliant blue sky abandons playgrounds and accompanies scholars of all ages to school
Its chilled mornings shut down swimming pools and invite brisk hikes, leisure walks, drier runs

It reminds us, September does, to make a big deal out of the last of summer
Rise with the sun
Linger in the twilight
Await the dark and the dots of stars
Salute the moonrise

It suggests, September does, to bid summer a fond
languid
adieu

Read more of Lucia's poetry...

We recommend 'August'.

August Gem

Peridot

August's Gem

Your name, Peridot, is derived from the ancient Greek Peridona, "to give richness", and oh, how rich your attraction, Peridot!

It is, it, that signature green colour, that names you "gem of the sun" by the ancient Egyptians

The Greeks of Old know you by your other title, chrysolite and name you "Goldstone"

Peridot, you are Cleopatra's favourite gem for she believed in your ability to instill power and influence

Peridot gem, you are a thing of Beauty. Your visual allure captivates, pleases and holds

Peridot gem, you are a testament to Durability, set it en cabochon you withstand the test of time.

Peridot gem, your Rarity of colour is the strongest indicator of value.

Peridot!

 

Curious About Birthstones?

Read July's post.

August

August

In Venerable company
the eighth month
on the lineup of siblings

Fifth honoured with a life span of thirty-one days
Auspicious presence in midsummer
Sky Scape
brilliant, clean, blue
White heat at mid
Day
Indigo sky cradles myriad stars at mid
Night

August, Celebrated month, hurries to make hot weather memories In between
thunderous storms and shortening days

Exalted month
Impressive month
Acclaimed month

August month

Welcome

Read more of Lucia's poetry...

We recommend 'July'.

Ruby

Ruby Red July

Ruby

July made special with Ruby

Ruby & Diamond Eternity Ring

Round Ruby Earrings

Ruby

July's Gem

Colour, it's all about colour
Red
Have you seen it: The purest red with a hint of blue?
That red as seen in glowing coal or in the red of a traffic light
Or, best, in the life river flowing within our very own bodies
See it also in the metaphorical passions
Red
The colour of desires, yearnings, longings and deep sighs
Find it, this colour, this passion, in good rubies.
Thailand, India, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan,
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, Vietnam
all are portents as is North Carolina
Find it, the best red
Call it by name: Burmese pigeon's blood
For it is they, the Burmese rubies,
most sought after
most treasured
most expensive
all rubies
Red
Colour, it's all about the colour
Ruby Red

Curious About Birthstones?

Read June's post.

July

July

July

July

The month of warm rain and brilliant sunshine
The month of hot sand and refreshing waters
The month of brilliant colour and scented air

The month of picnics and boardwalk runs
The month of falling in love and making promises
The month of public festivals and private celebrations
The month of countless adventures and lazy afternoons

The month of long days and hot evenings
The month of romantic moonlight and spectacular sunshine
The month of early risers and late night firmament watchers
The month of campfires and shooting stars
The month of lingering sunsets and cricket serenades

July the apex of summer months

Read more of Lucia's poetry...

We recommend 'June'.