Opal is the result of seasonal rains that poured over dry grounds, leaving solid deposits of silica in cracks that eventually form into opal. There are several different categories of opal based on color, such as fire opal (which comes in brown, yellow, orange or red, with red being the most valuable). Although fire opal does not have a play-of-color characteristic, most opal does. This is often seen as a flashing rainbow or sparkle. Throughout history, the gem has been recognized as the luckiest of all gems. Opal is a birthstone for October.
Peridot comes in different shades of green, yellow, and olive. Historically, peridot has been connected to light and has been called the “gem of the sun.” In medieval times, it was common to confuse this gem with emerald because of their similarity in color. Peridot is a birthstone for August and the gem for the 16th anniversary.
