Those lucky enough to be born in October are gifted with not one but two magnificent birthstones: the traditional, ethereal opal and the modern, colour-rich tourmaline. Both gems are sought after worldwide for their unique beauty, offering an unparalleled choice for stunning fine jewellery.
If you're searching for the perfect piece of October birthstone jewellery, understanding the history, meaning, and characteristics of these two exceptional gemstones is the first step to finding your own dazzling treasure.
The Traditional Gem: Opal – A Galaxy Captured in Stone
Opal has been revered for centuries, its name believed to come from the Sanskrit word Upala, meaning "precious stone". It is uniquely known for a breathtaking optical effect called the "play-of-colour".
The Iridescent Phenomenon
Unlike most gemstones, opal is composed of tiny spheres of silica which diffract light, causing dazzling flashes of iridescent colour to shift and dance across the stone's surface. This kaleidoscopic effect is often compared to miniature fireworks, galaxies, or a rainbow caught in a drop of water.
Opal traditionally symbolises hope, purity, and truth. In ancient times, people believed it possessed the virtues of all the coloured stones whose flashes it contained. Because Opal is a softer, more delicate gem with a high water content, it is best suited for protected settings.
The Spectrum of Opals: Beyond the Classic White
The unique body colour of the opal dictates its value and rarity:
- White Opal: The most common variety, featuring a translucent to opaque body colour with fire that flashes across a light background.
- Black Opal: The rarest and most valuable type. Found primarily in Lightning Ridge, Australia, these opals have a dark grey to black body tone, which provides the perfect contrast to make the play-of-colour appear much more vivid and intense.
- Fire Opal: Unique because its value often comes from its striking body colour—typically yellow, orange, or bright red—rather than its play-of-colour. While some do exhibit fire, many are valued for their saturated hue alone.
- Boulder Opal: Found attached to its natural host rock (or 'boulder'). The thin layer of precious opal is backed by the natural ironstone, creating a dark backing similar to black opal, which intensifies the gemstone's colour.
- Crystal Opal: Distinguished by its transparency. Because it is highly transparent to semi-transparent, it allows light to travel deeper into the stone, producing a vibrant and intense play-of-colour that seems to float within the gem.
- Peruvian Opal: A lovely, opaque variety that is usually soft pastel blue, pink, or green. Unlike most precious opals, it often doesn't show play-of-colour but is valued solely for its beautiful body colour and is often cut into beads or smooth cabochons.
- Ethiopian Opal (Welo Opal): This has become hugely popular in recent years. It is known for its honeycomb structure and vibrant, multi-coloured play-of-colour. It is hydrophilic (absorbs water), which causes it to become temporarily transparent or change its play-of-colour, making it a fascinating gem to discuss.
Opal and Diamond Jewellery
Opals are stunning when set in white gold or platinum, often surrounded by a diamond halo or diamond accents. The brilliance of the diamonds frames the opal, enhancing its mesmerising play-of-colour without competing with its complexity.
The Modern Gem: Tourmaline – The Gemstone of the Rainbow
Tourmaline is the modern alternative birthstone for October, and it is arguably the most versatile of all gemstones. Its name is derived from the Sinhalese phrase tura mali, meaning "stone of mixed colours." This enormous colour spectrum is why it makes an ideal choice for versatile birthstone jewellery.
A Colour for Every Mood
Tourmaline is the only gemstone that can be found in virtually every colour, often featuring two or more distinct hues in a single crystal. This enormous spectrum makes it a favourite of designers and collectors alike. Tourmaline is associated with compassion, healing, and emotional balance. While many shades exist, pink tourmaline is the colour most closely connected with October, symbolising love and gentleness.
Beyond pink, the key varieties include:
- Rubellite: This is the name given to the deepest, most saturated pink-to-red tourmalines. Unlike some pink tourmalines, the rubellite colour remains consistent and vibrant under different lighting conditions.
- Indicolite: The trade name for rare, blue-to-violet tourmaline. High-quality indicolite exhibits a stunning depth of colour, often rivalling that of sapphires.
- Chrome Tourmaline: A vivid, pure green tourmaline whose colour is caused by the same chromium and vanadium elements that give emeralds their striking green. It is one of the most sought-after green tourmalines.
- Parti-Colour and Watermelon: Parti-colour tourmalines feature two or more distinct colours within the same stone (e.g., green and yellow). Watermelon Tourmaline is a specific type of parti-colour that displays a pinkish-red centre with a green rim—a truly unique, natural spectacle.
- Paraíba Tourmaline: An incredibly rare and expensive variety, known for its electric, neon-bright blue-to-violet colour caused by trace amounts of copper.
- Chameleon Tourmaline (Colour-Change): A rare and fascinating variety that changes colour depending on the light source. Typically, it appears greenish yellow in daylight and transitions to an orangey red or reddish pink under incandescent (low-light, yellow) bulbs. This dramatic shift makes it a highly collectible piece.
Tourmaline and Diamond Jewellery
Tourmaline is a durable gem, making it an excellent choice for rings and everyday wear pieces. Because it comes in such vivid hues, it pairs exceptionally well with the timeless sparkle of white diamonds. Diamonds provide a classic, crisp contrast that makes the tourmaline's bold, singular colour truly stand out.
Choosing Your October Birthstone
Whether you are seeking the ethereal, shifting beauty of the opal or the defined, vibrant colour of the tourmaline, October's dual birthstones offer a meaningful connection to your birth month.
When designing your piece at Comparethediamond.com, consider your style: the Opal offers unmatched iridescent complexity and is perfect for statement necklaces, while the tourmaline offers bold, singular colour and the durability for an everyday ring.
No matter which path you choose, to wear an October birthstone is to carry a piece of the earth's dazzling autumn spectrum with you.