Why does October have two birthstones?

The modern birthstone list was standardized by the American Gem Trade Association in 1912 and updated several times since. Tourmaline was added alongside Opal in 1952 to offer buyers a more affordable and durable alternative, and both are now officially recognized.

What makes Opal unique among gemstones?

Opal displays a phenomenon called "play-of-color" — flashes of spectral color caused by the diffraction of light through microscopic silica spheres arranged in a grid-like structure. No two Opals are identical, making each stone a natural work of art.

Is there a lucky color for October birthstones?

Opal is associated with white, black, and fiery orange-red hues, while Tourmaline spans every color of the rainbow. Pink Tourmaline is the most popular choice for October birthdays and symbolizes compassion and love.

How hard are Opal and Tourmaline?

Opal rates 5.5–6.5 on the Mohs scale, making it relatively soft and prone to scratching or cracking if mistreated. Tourmaline is harder at 7–7.5 and is more suitable for everyday jewelry. Both benefit from careful storage.

How should I clean my October birthstone jewelry?

For Opal, use only a soft damp cloth — never ultrasonic cleaners, steam, or harsh chemicals, as Opal contains water and can crack. Tourmaline tolerates mild soap and warm water with a soft brush, but avoid steam cleaners.

What does Opal symbolize?

Historically, Opal was considered the luckiest of all gems because it contained the colors of every other stone. Ancient Romans called it "opalus," meaning precious jewel. It symbolizes hope, creativity, and innocence.

October Birthstone

October has two birthstones: Opal (the iridescent play-of-color gem) and Tourmaline (the rainbow-spectrum mineral), each with rich history and symbolism.

Opal

Primary Birthstone Mohs 5.5–6.5

Opal is the primary birthstone for October. Prized for its extraordinary play-of-color — a shifting rainbow of spectral hues — no two Opals are alike. The name derives from the Sanskrit upala, meaning precious stone, and was later adopted by the Romans as opalus. Opal symbolizes hope, creativity, and innocence.

Month

October

Hardness

5.5–6.5 Mohs

Crystal

Amorphous

Composition

SiO₂·nH₂O

Opal Color Varieties

White Opal

Light body with pastel play-of-color. The most common variety; mined mainly in South Australia.

Black Opal

Dark body tone makes colors appear vivid and dramatic. The rarest and most valuable type; found primarily in Lightning Ridge, NSW.

Boulder Opal

Opal in its natural ironstone host rock. Found in Queensland; often cut with the host rock still attached.

Crystal Opal

Transparent to semi-transparent with play-of-color visible through the body. Highly prized for its clarity.

Fire Opal

Vivid orange, yellow, or red body color from Mexico. May or may not show play-of-color.

Andean Opal

Opaque blue-green to pink stone from Peru; typically used as a decorative gemstone without play-of-color.

History & Lore

Ancient Romans regarded Opal as the most precious and powerful gemstone because it contained the colors of all others.
Arab traders believed Opal fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning, which gave it its spectral fire.
Shakespeare referenced Opal in Twelfth Night: "Now, the melancholy god protect thee; and the tailor make thy doublet of changeable taffeta, for thy mind is a very opal."
Australia produces over 90% of the world's precious Opals, with Lightning Ridge and Coober Pedy being the most famous sources.
Queen Victoria championed Opal jewelry throughout the 19th century, helping restore its reputation after a superstition spread by a Walter Scott novel portrayed it as unlucky.

Care & Cleaning Tips

•Wipe with a soft, damp cloth
•Store in a padded jewelry box
•Keep away from other gems that may scratch it
•Apply cosmetics and perfume before putting on Opal jewelry

Don't

•Use ultrasonic or steam cleaners
•Soak in water or harsh chemicals
•Expose to extreme heat or sudden temperature changes
•Store in airtight containers for long periods (Opal contains water)

Tourmaline

Secondary Birthstone Mohs 7–7.5

Tourmaline was added as October's second birthstone in 1952. It boasts the widest color range of any gemstone — every hue is possible in a single mineral species. The name comes from the Sinhalese word turmali, meaning mixed gems. Pink Tourmaline specifically symbolizes compassion, love, and emotional healing.

Month

October

Hardness

7–7.5 Mohs

Crystal

Trigonal

Group

Cyclosilicate

Tourmaline Color Varieties

Pink Tourmaline

The most popular October birthstone variety. Ranges from pale blush to deep hot pink. Symbolizes compassion and unconditional love.

Rubellite

A vivid red to hot-pink variety. Highly prized for its intense color saturation, comparable to ruby.

Paraiba Tourmaline

Neon blue-green hue due to copper traces. Discovered in Brazil in 1989; extremely rare and valuable.

Indicolite

Blue to blue-green variety. Rarer than other colors; often used in high-end jewelry design.

Watermelon

Green on the outside, pink in the center — just like a watermelon. Single crystals display both colors simultaneously.

Chrome Tourmaline

Deep forest green colored by chromium or vanadium. Primarily sourced from Tanzania and Kenya.

History & Lore

Dutch traders first brought Tourmaline to Europe from Sri Lanka in the early 1700s, often confusing colorful specimens with other gems.
The Empress Dowager Cixi of China was a devoted admirer — she purchased large quantities of pink Tourmaline from California's Himalaya Mine in the early 1900s.
Tourmaline is said to inspire artistic expression and is sometimes called the "peace stone," believed to dispel fear and negative energy.
Brazil, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Mozambique, and the United States (California and Maine) are the leading sources of gem-quality Tourmaline today.
Tourmaline exhibits pyroelectricity and piezoelectricity — it develops an electric charge when heated or compressed, a property used in pressure-sensing instruments.

Care & Cleaning Tips

•Clean with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush
•Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a lint-free cloth
•Store individually in a soft pouch
•Have prong settings checked annually by a jeweler

Don't

•Use steam cleaners (some Tourmalines are heat-sensitive)
•Expose to rapid temperature changes
•Use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners
•Leave in direct sunlight for extended periods (color may fade)

Opal vs. Tourmaline at a Glance

Property	Opal	Tourmaline
Hardness	5.5–6.5 Mohs	7–7.5 Mohs
Durability	Fragile; avoid impact	Good; suitable for daily wear
Color	White, black, fire	Every color imaginable
Special trait	Play-of-color	Widest natural color range
Main sources	Australia, Ethiopia	Brazil, Sri Lanka, Africa
Price range	$30–$10,000+ / ct	$10–$3,000+ / ct
Symbolism	Hope, creativity	Compassion, love, peace
Anniversary	14th wedding year	Not traditionally assigned

Summary

October has two birthstones: Opal (the iridescent play-of-color gem) and Tourmaline (the rainbow-spectrum mineral), each with rich history and symbolism.

How it works

Choose a birthstone tab — Opal or Tourmaline — to explore that gem.
Read the overview card for history, meaning, and lore.
Browse the color varieties section to see available hues.
Check the quality and grading tips before buying.
Review the care and cleaning guide to keep your stone brilliant.

Use cases

Find the perfect October birthday gift for a friend or family member.
Learn the symbolism and lore behind Opal and Tourmaline.
Identify which color variety of Tourmaline matches a personal style.
Understand how to care for an Opal or Tourmaline piece of jewelry.
Settle the question of which gem is the "real" October birthstone.
Research gemstone options before visiting a jeweler.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-09-22 · Reviewed by Nham Vu

October Birthstone

Use the October Birthstone

Opal

Opal Color Varieties

History & Lore

Care & Cleaning Tips

Tourmaline

Tourmaline Color Varieties

History & Lore

Care & Cleaning Tips

Opal vs. Tourmaline at a Glance

Summary

How it works

Use cases

Frequently Asked Questions