October is the month of the year when fall really begins across much of the world. The weather is lovely and cool, and the leaves display an impressive wash of color. It’s fitting, then, that the two birthstones for the month of October are known for their color: Opal (traditional) and Tourmaline (modern).
Opal
Opals has been treasured throughout the ages. From Roman times to the Middle Ages, opal was a sign of luck, as it was thought that they harnessed all the powers of the other gems, since all the colors appear in an opal. Opal is the stone used to celebrate a 14th wedding anniversary.
Opal is well-known for featuring a beautiful kaleidoscope display of colors, called a play-of-color. While many people think of an opal as a whitish stone, with green, blue, and pick specs, opals actually come in more colors than just white:
- Ethiopian opals dazzle with their translucent to opaque bodies and vibrant play-of-color, showcasing flashes of red, green, yellow, and blue against a creamy or honey-toned base.
- Fire opals have red, brown, orange or yellow tones.
- Black opals have this same rainbow of colors as white opals, but these colors are featured on a black or dark background.
- Hyalite opals are transparent or translucent with a glass-like appearance, often exhibiting a mesmerizing fluorescent glow under UV light.
- Boulder opals can have either a dark or light background but include fragments of the surrounding rock from which it was cut.
- Pink opals feature soft, pastel pink hues with a smooth, opaque surface, often accented by a delicate, velvety luster.
Opal rates a 5.5—6 on the Mohs hardness scale, so care should be taken when cleaning. They can be gently brushed with a soft toothbrush, using warm water and mild detergent, and never put in an ultrasonic cleaner. Be sure to remove or cover your opal jewelry if using bleach, chemicals, and cleaners.
Tourmaline
Tourmaline is also a stone known for its many colors, although unlike an opal, all the colors do not appear all at once. Instead, the individual gems come in a wide variety of color. Tourmalines can be found in bluish black, deep brown, yellow, reds, pink, greens, and a wide variety between. They can also be bi- and multicolored. A “watermelon” tourmaline features both pink and green colors. Tourmaline makes a great gift for an 8th wedding anniversary.
Tourmaline has a 7—7.5 on the Mohs scale, so they don’t scratch easily, however, strong heat can affect the color and may cause fracturing. They are best cleaned by warm, soapy water, and a soft cloth.
Perceptions
Both opal and tourmaline work with all the chakras, to keep energy flowing, while magnifying emotions. Both are especially aligned with the heart and root chakras, and the third eye. Opal is best worn by Libras and Taureans and tourmaline are great for Aries, Leo, Libra, Capricorn, Sagittarius, and Scorpio signs.
Browse our collection of October birthstones, which makes a meaningful gift for those born in this month or celebrating an 8th or 14th wedding anniversary.
