Opals in October
I admire the reds and oranges of the leaves…
October Gem
Posted on by Lucia
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
Posted on by Lucia
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
Posted on by Lucia
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
Posted on by Lucia
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
Posted on by Lucia
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
Posted on by Lucia
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
Posted on by Lucia
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
Posted on by Lucia
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 Red July
Posted on by Lucia
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