What’s your sign? It’s not just a carry-over phrase from the ’70s you know. It’s actually something you might hear any day in the 21st century. And on the subject of zodiac signs, If you were born between September 23 and October 23, you’re a libra. If you’re not one yourself, perhaps you have a special libra in your life, in which case you might be interested in today’s post.
Why’s that, you ask? Well, as you might know, every month – this is somewhat loose since the dates don’t line up exactly with our months – has its own astrological sign and has been assigned its own birthstone. In the case of libras, they have been given the gift of the opal, a luminous gem of positivity, longevity and creativity. Which leads us to today’s topic: 8 Top Opal Jewelry Gifts for Libras.
But before we get into suggestions from The Gift Advisors at The Bradford Exchange, we thought it might be helpful to provide a little context on libras and their connection to opals.
Table of Contents
The Libra Zodiac Sign Explained
Libra is the 7th astrological sign in the zodiac and is represented by a symbol of scales. If you examine the constellation it is named for, it’s hard to figure out just how anyone came up with the shape of scales from a star pattern that looks more like a little crooked box, but that’s a story for another blog.
For whatever reason, libra is actually the only inanimate object in the entire zodiac, a night sky filled mostly with people and animals. But that doesn’t make it any less significant.
Libra is an air sign that is ruled by Venus, a planet known to govern love, beauty and money. But what exactly does that mean for the people like you, me and others who are born under that sign? Here are some of the key personality traits and characteristics usually associated with Libras:
– Fair
– Diplomatic
– Balanced
– Artistic
– Emotional
– Indecisive
– Cooperative
– People Pleasing
– Romantic
– Intellectual
– Impulsive
– Outgoing
Do any of these sound familiar to you? It’s important to remember that astrological signs, the zodiac and the position of the earth, moon, sun and stars are highly valued by many as it relates to their personal life, but it is not an exact science. There is a wide range of other factors that could contribute to a person’s personality, including upbringing, life experiences and personal choices. But these are certainly entertaining to consider, aren’t they?
The Qualities of the Opal
Let’s take a quick look at some facts about the libra’s birthstone: the opal.
Natural opal can be found in many places around the world, including Brazil, Mexico, Honduras and the western United States. However, Australia is the country responsible for over 90% of the world’s opals.
Opals have a moderate hardness, registering 5.0 – 6.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, so they are rarely faceted. Because of their softness, they are typically cut as cabochons and fashioned into beads, which makes them a prime candidate for jewelry designs.
If you’ve seen an opal up close, one of the first things you might notice is how incredible it looks. The colors are unlike any other gem. They are often translucent or opaque white but appear to be filled with specks of glittering color that catches the light and “plays” it back for an unparalleled shimmer. This is due to diffraction, the splitting of light rays as it passes through the stone.
Of course, opals can appear in any number of different colors naturally, but their translucent rainbow presentation is the one most associated with the stone.
Discovering the Beauty of Opals with Raisa
For a further exploration of October’s birthstone, we invite you to hear from Raisa, one of the jewelry design creative directors at The Bradford Exchange. Throughout the fascinating video below, she will lead you through the world of radiant opals from the vantage point of a jewelry professional, including a look at their wide spectrum of colors, tips for how they can enhance your everyday wardrobe and so much more. This guide is filled with opal inspiration, and we hope you enjoy it.
Watch Raisa’s Opal Guide Now:
The Power of Opals for Libras
Other than the fact that libras have been assigned the opal as their birthstone, you might be wondering how the two really connect. There are actually several parallels that can be drawn between the two. Let’s examine a few.
Aesthetics – the unique play of color that an opal gives off provides a perfect resonance for a libra’s sense of style and the innate pleasure they take from things that are pleasing to the eye.
Harmony – the symmetry of an opal’s patterns and the way its colors work together in harmony is a perfect symbol of balance and equality, some of the trademark characteristics of libras.
Spirituality – historically, opals have been connected to the mystical realm and a wide range of spiritual and metaphysical beliefs. Because libras are known for their intellectual prowess and the impulse for a deeper understanding of the world, this provides a perfect link to the opal.
Emotional Resonance – opals have been associated with intuition and emotions in the past. In fact, their changing colors could be considered a representation of the depth and complexity of human emotions. Because libras are often acknowledged for their emotional intelligence, this brings the two together in a much deeper way.
Now that we have a little background information on opals and libras, and the way they all come together beautifully under the heavens, let’s get into some of those gift ideas.
Remember, if you know a libra, the gift of opal jewelry makes a wonderful gift, especially for their birthday. Of course, they are just as gorgeous for any other occasion too. And each of the choices below also includes a custom presentation box and/or velvet jewelry pouch to make your gift giving experience easier and even more attractive. Check out our picks and let us know what you think. Some of them match perfectly, so look out for that too.
Genuine Beauty Ring
Featuring 5 Ethiopian opals! This solid sterling silver and 18K gold-plated ring showcases an elegant modern design with its 5 starring stones in graduating sizes across the center. And to make them stand out even more, 40 genuine white topaz provide a brilliant border along both sides. It’s truly the essence of genuine beauty!
Shimmering Elegance Ring
Featuring an oval-shaped Australian opal! This solid sterling silver ring boasts a shimmering contemporary setting for its center stone, supported with crisscrossed pavé ribbons of 12 genuine diamonds for the ultimate sparkle. It’s the perfect celebration of opal elegance!
Queen of Gems Ring
Featuring an over 1.5 carat Ethiopian opal! This solid sterling silver ring is richly plated with 18K gold for a gorgeous gleam. And to highlight the beauty of the center opal, it is surrounded with 44 genuine white diamonds and 14 genuine mocha diamonds – over 2 carats of gemstones in all. It’s an opulent statement fit for a queen!
The Holy Trinity Earrings
Featuring 8 Australian opals! This lovely pair of solid sterling silver earrings are shaped like elegant crosses and recall the Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost with 3 genuine diamonds on each earring. They even arrive with a keepsake encouragement card. It’s a beautiful expression of Christian faith!
Queen of Gems Earrings
Featuring over 1/2 carat of Ethiopian opals! Lavishly plated in 18K gold, these solid sterling silver earrings show off their impressive opals in a unique design that resembles an infinity symbol. The opals are surrounded with over 45 genuine white and mocha diamonds for a total of over 3/4 carats. It’s a sure way to get ear-to-ear attention!
Shimmering Elegance Necklace
Featuring an oval-shaped Australian opal! Resting gracefully in a solid sterling silver frame, the luminous gem of this pendant creates an ever-shifting rainbow of color in the light. Plus, it’s adorned with a genuine diamond at the top and arrives with a matching 18″ chain. It’s a lovely expression of opal elegance!
Opulence Necklace
Featuring an oval-shaped Australian opal! This solid sterling silver pendant cradles its land down under gem in a unique double loop setting. To support its star gem, the pendant’s teardrop-shaped ribbons and inner loop are graced with sparkling genuine diamonds – 12 in all. It’s the epitome of pure opulence!
. With You Always Necklace
Featuring a teardrop-shaped Australian opal! This remembrance necklace is as beautiful as it is meaningful, with entwined ribbons of solid sterling silver and 18K gold plating embracing its center gem. And it arrives with a poem card to provide comfort to someone in need. It’s an eloquent way to cherish the memory of a lost loved one.
If you liked our dazzling picks for libras, just wait until you see the entire selection of the opal jewelry available on our website. We invite you to take a peek very soon. In fact, we think opals look so awesome, you shouldn’t even have to be a libra to enjoy their beauty. What do you think?
8 Top Opal Jewelry Gifts for Libras by The Bradford Exchange
About The Bradford Exchange
The Gift Advisors @The Bradford Exchange are thrilled to help you discover a wealth of artistic treasures, all of which began with passion. Whether you are looking for that perfect personalized gift or a unique collection for yourself, we are driven to make your shopping experience as joyful as possible and hope you are surprised and delighted with what you find. Thank you for your continued support.
