October Birthstones: Tourmaline and Opal

Each month’s birthstone carries unique symbolism and aesthetic value, so what is the October birthstone? How many birthstones does October have? What do you know about October birthstones? …

October has two precious birthstones – tourmaline and opal. These two gemstones are prized for their vibrant colors and rich cultural backgrounds, and they are also a favorite jewelry choice for many because of their distinctive physical and spiritual properties. Whether you were born in October or are simply drawn to the beauty of these two stones, this article will provide a comprehensive overview of the October birthstones tourmaline and opal, helping you to gain insight into their origins, colors, hardness, symbolism, and selection tips.

Tourmaline: The Colorful Birthstone of October

Tourmaline, one of the main birthstones of October, is known for its amazing variety of colors and is known as the “king of colors”. Its name comes from the Sri Lankan Sinhalese word “turamali”, meaning “colorful mixed stone”. This gemstone is known for its wide variety of colors, including pink, green, blue, purple, and even gradations of colors in a single stone. Tourmaline’s versatility makes it a very popular October birthstone.

1. Tourmaline Colors

Tourmaline comes in an extreme range of colors, covering almost all hues from pink and green to blue and purple. Of these, pink and green are the most common and popular colors. Pink tourmaline, in particular, is often used as a symbol of love due to its sweet, soft hue. Paraiba Tourmaline, on the other hand, is the rarest and most precious member of the tourmaline family, known for its distinctive neon blue or green color. As the birthstone of October, Tourmaline’s rich colors give the wearer a wide range of personalities.

2. Hardness of Tourmaline

Tourmaline has a Mohs hardness of 7 to 7.5, providing good durability, which makes tourmaline jewelry quite practical. It is one of the more wear-resistant choices among October’s birthstones.

3. Tourmaline symbolism

Tourmaline has been recognized since ancient times as a powerful energy source, especially in balancing emotions, enhancing creativity, and bringing inner peace. Different colors of tourmaline also symbolize different spiritual powers. For example, pink tourmaline represents love and emotional expression, while green tourmaline symbolizes wealth and growth. As the October birthstone, Tourmaline’s spiritual significance gives it added value when worn, making it a great choice for celebrating October birthdays.

Related Reading: Tourmaline Guide: All You Need to Know About Tourmaline

Opal: The Dreamy Birthstone of October

Opal is another beautiful birthstone option for October. How should we introduce it?

Of all precious stones it is the opal that presents the greatest difficulties of description, it displaying at once the piercing fire of carbunculus¹, the purple brilliancy of amethystos and the sea green of smaragdus², the whole blended together and refulgent with a brightness that is quite incredible. Some authors have compared the effect of its reflugence³ to that of the colour known as Armenian pigment⁴ while others speak of it as resembling the flame of burning sulphur or of a flame fed with oil.

This is a quote from the book Natural History by Pliny the Elder, an ancient Roman natural historian. 

The name “opal” has multiple origins: some say it comes from the Sanskrit word “upala,” others from the Greek “opállios,” and yet others from the Latin “opalus.” This gemstone is similar to tourmaline in that it comes in various colors and types; however, opal possesses a play-of-color effect, while tourmaline does not. This unique optical effect arises from the moisture within the opal, allowing it to reflect vibrant colors in the light as if a rainbow dances within the gemstone. This enchanting brilliance has made Opal highly sought after and renowned.

1. Opal Colors

Opals come in a wide variety of colors, including white, blue, black, green, and other basic hues, and their play-of-color effect gives the stone a unique iridescent glow when viewed from different angles. Black opal, in particular, is a rare gem among opals due to its rarity and remarkable play-of-color effect, especially among the opal ores produced in Australia.

Related Reading: What Are The Types Of Opals?

2. Hardness of Opal

With a Mohs hardness of 5.5 to 6.5, opals are softer and require special care. Extra care needs to be taken when wearing opal jewelry daily, especially if it is prone to cracking in dry or extreme conditions. (Opals contain a high water content (up to 21%) and are therefore more sensitive to dry/extreme conditions.) Therefore, opal necklaces or opal earrings are a more appropriate choice of jewelry than opal rings! (Rings may frequently face scratches and impacts, making the gemstones more susceptible to damage.)

3. Opal Symbolism

As the birthstone of October, the opal has long been regarded as a stone of luck, especially in promoting love, hope, and purity. Its play-of-color effect symbolizes change and renewal, and many people believe that wearing an opal brings good luck and positive energy. Also associated with mystery and magic, opal is a gemstone of deep spiritual significance.

Tourmaline vs. Opal: What Is The Difference?

Although both tourmaline and opal are October birthstones, they exhibit significant differences in color, hardness, and symbolic meanings.

Tourmaline vs. Opal Color and Appearance

Both tourmaline and opal come in various color options. Tourmaline is usually transparent and of a single color. (There are also multicolored mixed tourmalines, such as bi-color tourmaline – “watermelon tourmaline”.) Opals are generally opaque and colorful (iridescent effect).

Tourmaline vs. Opal Durability

Tourmaline is more durable than opal due to its higher hardness.

Tourmaline vs. Opal Price

The price of both gemstones depends on their actual quality. General pricing comparison:  

• ENTRY LEVEL STONES: For average quality, small-carat opals, and tourmalines, the prices may be relatively similar, and some tourmalines may even be cheaper than opals. (Common types of tourmaline and opal are usually priced between a few dozen and a thousand dollars a carat, with no significant difference.)
• HIGH-END STONES: High-quality, large-carat opals and tourmalines, especially the rarer varieties, command very high prices, with potentially large price differences. (The prices of the two rarest varieties are: 1CT Australian black opal (the rarest variety of opal) is worth $10-50,000, and 1CT Paraiba tourmaline (the rarest variety of tourmaline) is $2,000-5,000.)

How to Choose an October Birthstone: Tourmaline or Opal?

When selecting tourmaline and opal, consider the following key factors:

1. Choose Based on Daily Use

If you plan to wear it daily, opt for the harder option. Tourmaline, with its higher hardness and wear resistance, maybe the more suitable choice. Opal, being more fragile, is better for pieces that won’t frequently encounter hard objects, such as necklaces or earrings.

2. Choose Based on Symbolism

If you wish to convey emotions or spiritual power through your October birthstone. Tourmaline is better suited for expressing love, friendship, and inner peace, while opal is for those seeking luck, spiritual awakening, or hope.

3. Choose Based on Budget

If you are purchasing common varieties of opal or tourmaline, their price differences generally won’t be significant, so you can choose based on personal preference. If you want to purchase a top-quality gemstone from either, and your budget is under $10,000, tourmaline is the better option (Extreme opal—Australian black opal starts at $10,000 per carat).

FAQs About October Birthstones

Conclusion

As October birthstones, both Tourmaline and Opal have their unique charms. Whichever you prefer, they will undoubtedly add a touch of brilliance and endless blessings to your life. In addition, Tourmaline and Opal are the 8th and 14th wedding anniversary stones, respectively. In addition, Tourmaline is the lucky stone for Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius; Opal is the lucky stone for Libra and Pisces.

Related Readings: June Birthstone, July Birthstone, August Birthstone, September Birthstone

Featured October Birthstone Jewelry

1. Carbunculus – Carbuncle – red stone mostly referring to garnet. ↩︎
2. Smaragdus – green stone – emerald ↩︎
3. Reflugence – shine brightly (like the stars) ↩︎
4. Armenian Pigment – most probably cherry red from Hæmatite, a form of iron oxide. ↩︎