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.
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.
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
Pearl Organic gems Composed of calcium carbonate and conchiolin Created when an oyster covers an irritant with layers of nacre Shaped round to baroque Refractive and lustrously pearly Find me in the Persian Gulf, India, Sri Lanka, Scotland, Germany, Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, China, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela But, oh, if you want me cultured as the near-white Akoya ... from Japan I must arrive Colour me white to yellow to brown Select me, you Sophisticates, in grey to black Tahitian-black. Call my name, Tahitian black and They shall covet your unique style. Accent the little black dress or the dandy's elegant satin cravat with a dash of yellow to pink to purple-pink and the coveted first impression is won On your wedding day parade me lavender or blue-green Orient - that soft iridescent sheen caused by the refraction of light by the layers of nacre and my lustre will be sure to draw admiring eyes I am Pearl I endure changes of fashion I adapt I remain constantly admired
Sparkling Vibrant Delicate Valuable Precious Intense I travel to Brazil but I shall make a stop in Zambia. The journey to find the finest of the finest the intensely intense of the colour intensity will I find in Colombia. Perchance Australia, India or Pakistan may hold the one stone to quench my passion for the bewitching gem. Russia beckons. South Africa rivals the closer to home United States for a place on the jeweller's bench as she conjures the dream and designs for the stone ... I am wearable art ... It whispers
Triumphant and Lauded Jerusalem at His feet Olive branches Songs of Praise Shouts of joy Thus begins Holy Week for Christians and Believers The preparatory time The reflective time The prayer time It is Faith It is Hope It is Charity It is Death and It is Resurrection Amen Hallelujah
