What's the Birthstone for October?

Written By Allie Perry October 4, 2024

To properly kick off Spooky Season, I’m writing this while munching on one of the most divisive holiday treats- candy corn. I love it! How could you not love a candy whose ingredients include…*checks notes*… sesame oil and shellac‽ On second thought, maybe it’s best if you don’t read the ingredients of argument-spurring holiday confections…

Instead, let’s talk about the two birthstones for October- opal and tourmaline.

Opals are known for their stunning play of color, offering an iridescent, almost ethereal look that can shift between shades of blue, green, pink, and orange depending on the light. This makes opals ideal for you if you love unique, one-of-a-kind pieces! The most important thing to consider about opals is that they’re softer and more delicate than other gemstones, so they require extra consideration and care. They’re best suited for earrings, pendants, or special-occasion rings rather than everyday wear. Oh, and some people think they’re bad luck…more on that later.

On the other hand, tourmaline offers a broad spectrum of vibrant colors, from deep greens and pinks to blues and even bi-color varieties. Tourmaline is an excellent choice for you if you want a vibrant stone that comes in a range of colors, and is good for everyday wear due to its hardness. The type of setting in your jewelry may make the birthstone choice for you since tourmaline is frequently used in birthstone jewelry that calls for a faceted stone- opals are almost always cut into cabochons.

Varieties and Colors of October’s Birthstones

1. Opal

Opal is one of the most visually striking gemstones, known for its incredible play-of-color – a phenomenon where the stone displays a rainbow of colors as it catches the light. No two opals are alike, making each stone a one-of-a-kind work of art.

• Colors: Opals can display a wide range of colors, from fiery reds and oranges to cool blues and greens, often all within the same stone. The most prized opals have a dark body color, which enhances the play-of-color. Common varieties include:
• White Opal: The most common variety, with a milky white background and vibrant flashes of color.
• Black Opal: The rarest and most valuable type, featuring a dark body color that makes the rainbow-like flashes of color more vivid.
• Fire Opal: Found in shades of orange, red, and yellow, fire opals are unique for their bold, solid colors rather than the play-of-color seen in other opals. Fire opals are frequently faceted, making them appropriate for many jewelry settings.

2. Tourmaline

Tourmaline has been called the “rainbow gemstone” since it comes in such a wide a spectrum of colors.

• Colors: Tourmaline occurs in almost every color, with some stones even exhibiting multiple colors at once, such as the watermelon tourmaline, which has a pink center and a green outer edge. The most common varieties include:
• Pink Tourmaline: A favorite among jewelry lovers for its romantic pink shades.
• Green Tourmaline: Ranges from light minty green to deep forest green.
• Blue Tourmaline (Indicolite): A rare and highly sought-after variety, ranging from pale blue to deep teal.
• Bi-Color Tourmaline: These stones display two or more distinct colors, with the “watermelon” variety being particularly famous.

Superstition Ain’t the Way

Opals have long been surrounded by superstitions. People have believed that you can only wear opals if they’re your birthstone. They’ve been seen as cursed when set into engagement rings because they will turn the bride into an early widow. And it’s not just engagement rings- you can never gift opals to anyone or accept them as gifts yourself, unless they’re set with diamonds to offset their bad luck. (This last bit feels like marketing to get you to buy more diamonds, but I digress.)

It wasn’t always all gloom and doom for opals. In ancient times, opals were considered symbols of good fortune, believed to possess the magic of all gemstones due to their shifting colors. 

• Creativity and Inspiration: Opals are often associated with creativity and artistic expression. The ever-changing colors within the stone are said to inspire originality and imagination.
• Love and Passion: In ancient times, opal was considered a stone of love and passion, believed to enhance emotions and bring about loyalty in relationships.
• Protection: Some cultures regarded opal as a protective talisman, guarding against negative energy and bringing good fortune to its wearer.

Tourmaline doesn’t carry the same dark superstitions as opal, and its symbolism has historically been more positive.

• Balance and Healing: Tourmaline is known as a stone of balance, capable of harmonizing the body and mind. It is believed to cleanse negative energy and promote emotional stability.
• Compassion and Friendship: Pink tourmaline, in particular, is linked to compassion and emotional healing. It is often given as a gift to symbolize love and friendship.
• Strength and Courage: Many believe that tourmaline can enhance strength, courage, and confidence, making it an empowering stone for personal growth.

How to Care for Opal and Tourmaline

Now that you’re chosen between opal and tourmaline, you need to know how to take care of them.

1. Opal Care

• Fragility: Opals are relatively soft, ranking between 5.5 and 6.5 on the Mohs scale, and can be prone to cracking or scratching. Handle them with care and avoid wearing opal jewelry during rigorous activities.
• Cleaning: Clean opals with mild soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals, heat, or ultrasonic cleaners, as these can damage the stone.
• Storage: Store opals in a soft, padded jewelry box to prevent scratches. Opals are also sensitive to extreme dryness, so storing them in a slightly humid environment can help maintain their natural moisture.

2. Tourmaline Care

• Durability: Tourmaline is harder than opal, ranging from 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, making it more durable for everyday wear. However, it can still chip or crack if struck hard.
• Cleaning: Clean tourmaline with warm, soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid exposing the stone to high heat or sudden temperature changes, as this can cause cracks.
• Storage: Store tourmaline separately from other gemstones to avoid scratches, ideally in a soft pouch or lined jewelry box.

So Which October Birthstone is Right for You?

As always, it mostly comes down to personal preference whether you choose oral or tourmaline. While not quite as divisive as delicious and delightful candy corn, opal is one of those stones that people tend to love or hate. Superstitions aside, the biggest thing to consider for your jewelry is the fact that opals aren’t durable for everyday wear. They’re safer in earrings and necklaces since those types of jewelry don’t frequently see a lot of impact while being worn, but I would not recommend them for bracelets or rings. And if you absolutely have to have an opal bracelet or an opal ring, limit those jewelry items to being worn on special occasions only, and wear them with great care. 

And while I don’t put much stock in gemstone superstitions, I always love learning about them. So if you know of any zany superstitions about gemstones or jewelry, drop me a line and share them!