October: Opal And Tourmaline Birthstone Associated Month

What are October Birthstones?

The October birthstone has two birthstones: opal and tourmaline. Opal is the traditional stone, known for its rainbow-like color which is changed in the light. The tourmaline is a newer choice, which comes in different colours, even several shades in one crystal. Opal is the original birthstone of October. It is a special gemstone known for its colorful shades, it shows the rainbow color when we change the light. While the tourmaline was officially added to October's list in 1952. The name of Tourmaline gemstone comes from the Sinhalese word toramalli, meaning "stone with mixed colors," its name comes because it fits in different shades. 

     '' Like the opal, October souls shimmer with hidden fire—quiet on the surface, but alive with a thousand colors within''

Opal Birthstone Meaning and Symbolism

Hope and creativity:

• Ancient Romans thought that opals were a symbol of hope, many people also believe that changing the color of opal gemstones helps with creativity and ideas.
• Purity and truth: Historically, Europeans linked opal gemstone with purity, hope, and truth.
• Healing: Some people consider opal gemstone as a healing stone because it will calm your mind, balance your emotions and improve your memory.
• Superstition: apart from its positive historical associations, opal gemstone was given a reputation for being unlucky in the 19th century. But this idea came from a story in a novel, not from old traditions.

Opal Birthstone Associations

Healing and Metaphysical Properties of Opal

Physical Healing Properties

• Vision: The White or light-colored opals gemstones are used to improve your eyesight and make your vision even more clear .
• Respiration:Opal is used to ease chest tightening, help with the breathing, and make the breath lighter .
• Digestive Health: Some people believe that opal gemstone helps in digestion and makes your stomach stronger.
• Metabolic Stability: There are types of opal that are believed to support your metabolism and keep it balanced.

Metaphysical properties of opal

• Creativity and Passion: Opal is used to help with ideas and creativity.
• Emotional Balance: It is thought to balance your emotions, call your mind, and give you a sense of peace.
• Spiritual Growth: Opal is thought to help with inner feelings and understanding. Some people believe that it is good for meditation and for feeling more connected to the spiritual side.
• Amplifying Energy:Colorful opals are believed to make wishes and goals stronger and help turn them into reality.
• Opal Gemstone Healing: the gem of October which is opal is believed to heal emotional pain and help people through changes, bringing a feeling of peace into your life.

Opal in Engagement Rings

• Opal has a Mohs hardness of about 5.5 to 6.5, making it relatively soft compared to traditional engagement stones like diamonds or sapphires.
• It is prone to scratching, chipping, and cracking, especially with daily wear and exposure to hard knocks or rough conditions.
• Opals also contain a significant amount of water, which means they can develop surface cracks (crazing) if exposed to very dry conditions or temperature changes.
• Despite these challenges, many couples choose opal for its unique play-of-color and symbolic meaning, though it requires extra care and may need occasional replacement. 

Tourmaline Birthstone Meaning and Symbolism

Symbolism Of Tourmaline Birthstone

• Tourmaline is said to travel on a rainbow, which fits because it comes in many colors.
•  It is known as a gem for sensitive and creative people.
• In history, artists and writers often used it as a lucky stone to inspire creativity.

Tourmaline Meaning by Color

Tourmaline comes in a variety of colors, each color of tourmaline gemstone has its own meanings and effects on people.

• Black tourmaline. The black tourmaline can be deep black, but it can also have a little touch of brown or blue. This stone is used to remove negative energy from your life.
• Pink tourmaline. It is a variety of tourmaline that is also used to be thought of as ruby. This pink color of tourmaline is used to balance your emotions.
• Red Tourmaline. It is used to give you inner strength.
• Purple tourmaline. This type of tourmaline used to give you protection and peace.
• Blue tourmaline. Comes in different shades from a sky to a deep blue, sometimes having a green hue. Valued for the qualities of bringing positivity and peace.
• Green tourmaline. This type of tourmaline has the colors ranging from pale green to olive green. It is used to heal your heart health issues.
• Brown tourmaline. Covering a color variety from a deep, dark yellow through to dark brown. This mineral helps to restore balance and calmness.
• Multicolored Tourmaline. An extremely rare variety of tourmaline, that displays triangular cross sections of pink, red, brown, blue, or a combination of these colors.
• Watermelon tourmaline. It has a green exterior and pink interior. It is the same as watermelon. This type of tourmaline can help in attracting money and friendship.

Tourmaline Birthstone Associations

Types and Varieties of Tourmaline

The varieties of tourmaline are classified into different mineral species, including the common gem tourmaline known as elbaite, and other types like schorl and dravite. 

• Within these species are various color varieties, such as pink rubellite, blue indicolite, green verdelite, and the rare, copper-rich Paraíba tourmaline.
• Other notable varieties include colorless achroite, black schorl, and watermelon tourmaline, which features a pink core and green outer layer. 

Healing and Metaphysical Properties of Tourmaline

Detoxification and Cleansing: 

• Tourmaline is believed to detoxify your body and to clean your organs.
• Immune System Support: It is used to strengthen the immune system and improve blood circulation.
• Pain Relief: Some believe it can help in ease pain and inflammation, it will be helpful for conditions like arthritis.
• Harmonizing Energy: Tourmaline is said to balance the energy of your body.

Metaphysical Properties

• Protection: The tourmaline gemstone works as a barrier against negative energies, psychic attacks, and electromagnetic radiation.
• Grounding: The Tourmaline gemstone helps you feel connected to the earth and stay focused in the present moment.
• Emotional Healing: Tourmaline balances your emotions, reduces negativity, and heals your old wounds.
• Spiritual Growth:It is used to help with spiritual growth, open the mind, and make the spiritual connections stronger.
• Intuition and Psychic Abilities: The stone is believed to improve intuition and psychic abilities.
• Chakra Balancing: Tourmaline gemstone is believed to balance and clear the body’s chakras, with each color linked to a different energy center.

Tourmaline in Engagement Rings

• Tourmaline is somewhat harder than opal, with a Mohs hardness around 7 to 7.5, which is suitable for daily wear.
•  It still scratches more easily than traditional stones and can chip or abrade over time with rough use.
• Protective settings, such as bezel or halo styles, can help shield the tourmaline and extend the ring's durability.
• Tourmaline is valued for its shining colors and symbolism, making it a popular modern alternative birthstone choice for engagement rings.

Alternative Birthstones for October and Their Meanings

The traditional birthstone for October is Opal, a gemstone symbolizing hope, faithfulness, purity, and confidence, while Tourmaline is the modern alternative, showing love, friendship, and compassion. 

Alternative birthstones also include Agate, known for strength and emotional balance; Jasper, which offers nurturing and grounding qualities; and Aquamarine, a soothing stone symbolizing calmness and clarity.

Best October Birthstone Jewelry Gifts

The top October birthstone jewelry gifts for 2025 are opal and pink tourmaline. Both of the October gemstones stand for creativity, hope, and positivity. Great gift options include:

• Platinum opal rings – stylish and meaningful.
• Rose gold opal drop earrings – full of color.
• Opal studs and necklaces – good for daily wear.
• Opal and diamond rings or pendants – classic and shiny.
• Pink Tourmaline Jewelry Gifts
• Heart-shaped pink tourmaline gemstone in white gold – sweet and thoughtful.
• Pink tourmaline stud earrings in gold, sometimes with diamonds – simple and pretty.
• Pink tourmaline and diamond constellation necklaces in gold-plated silver – a nice way to mark October birthdays.

 FAQs about October Birthstones

What is the official October birthstone?

• Opal is famous because of its “play-of-color,” meaning it can show many colors in one stone. It is often seen as a symbol of creativity, innocence, and hope.
• Tourmaline, especially the pink kind, is loved for its beautiful shades and is believed to offer protection.

Why does October have two birthstones?

• Opal is the traditional October birthstone. It is known for its bright flashes of color and is seen as a symbol of creativity, hope, and inspiration. However, opal is soft and brakable, so some people prefer a stronger stone for daily wear.
• Tourmaline was added as a modern birthstone for October because it is strong and comes in many colors. It can be found in shades like pink, green, and blue, giving people born in October more choices to match their style and personality. Having two birthstones—opal and tourmaline—means October birthdays can pick the one they like best.

What does the October birthstone symbolize?

The October birthstone, opal, is known for symbolizing hope, purity, and innocence. Its shifting colors are seen as a sign of creativity, imagination, and deep feelings. 

In the past, people believed opal could bring protection, healing, and even the ability to see ahead. It is also connected with loyalty, faith, and love. The stone’s glowing colors are said to bring peace and calm while reflecting the shiny personality of the person who wears it, making opal a strong symbol of self-expression and emotional clarity.

Can opal and tourmaline be used in engagement rings?

Yes, both opal and tourmaline can be used in engagement rings, but there are important considerations regarding their durability.

Conclusion: 

Choosing Between Opal and TourmalineIn conclusion, the October birthstones, opal and tourmaline, each carry their own beauty and meaning. Opal birthstone is famous for its colorful shine and is linked with hope, love, and creativity. Tourmaline birthstone is valued for its strength and wide range of colors, from pink to green to blue, making it perfect for personal style and everyday wear. Having both opal and tourmaline as October birthstones gives people the freedom to choose a gem that best matches their personality, lifestyle, and symbolic meaning.