October Birthstone: Opal and Tourmaline 

1- Introduction

People born in October are gifted with the magic of not one, in fact, two enchanting birthstones, i.e. opals and tourmalines. Opal is the gem of October with a kaleidoscopic display of colours while tourmaline exhibits a vibrant colour fusion, making these stones perfect gifts for those born in October.

2- October birthstones and crystals

Opal and tourmaline form the perfect October gemstone duo. Opals serve as the perfect classic choice for people born in the month of October and those celebrating their 14th wedding anniversary. 

Tourmaline’s extraordinary beauty and charm make this stone a perfect gift for the birthdays of October-born individuals and for couples celebrating 8 years of their marriage.

                                                                                                   Opal                                Tourmaline

3- October Birthstone: Opal 

According to Pliny the Elder, the Roman chronicler, opal is a gemstone with fiery glow of garnet, sea-green brilliance of emerald, and rich purple of amethyst.

Opal Birthstone Associations and Information

Varieties of Opals

The presence or absence of play-of-colour determines whether an opal is considered precious or common respectively. 

Play-of-colour is a phenomenon of light diffraction within silica structure of opal resulting in a display of spectrum of colors which shifts with viewing angle or lighting. 

Opals are further divided on the basis of body colour, formation and pattern. Value is influenced by the intensity, range and pattern of play-of-colour.

Most popular varieties of opals 

1. Black Opals

Black Opals are the most valuable and the rarest opals. They are valued for their dark colored background which is responsible for their vivid play-of-color phenomenon. So, they are highly sought-after by jewelers and collectors. Price of black opal ranges from $10–20,000/carat.

2. White Opals

White opals are precious opals with light-colored body tones like white, cream or grey and less prominent play-of-color as compared to black opals. Their price ranges from $10–6000/carat.

3. Crystal Opals

Crystal opals are transparent to translucent variety with play-of-color appearing inside the stone against light or dark background. Their incandescent brightness and transparency make them stand out among other stones. Crystal opals cost about $2–6000/carat.

                                               

Other types of Opals

1. Boulder Opals 

Boulder Opals form within host rocks filling their natural cavities and cracks in the form of thin veins. Ironstone host rocks grow naturally as a part of gem. Their body colour can be light or dark, and they are more prone to getting cleaved.

2. Fire Opals

Fire opals are transparent to semi-transparent opals with warm background colour like yellow, orange or red, but they usually don't show any play-of-color; may showcase green flashes.

3. Jelly Opals

Jelly opals are opals that can be transparent or translucent and can show play-of-colour due to their gelatinous body resulting in appearance of red, green and blue hues within opal.

4. Hyalite/Muller's Opals

Hyaline opals are transparent, glass-like, fragile forms with droplet appearance.

Girasol opal emits an attractive bluish glow.

5. Matrix Opals

Matrix opals are within host rocks with fine vein-like designs between grains of rocks.

6. Dendritic Opals

Dendritic opals feature tree-like inclusions within their structure that add to their natural beauty and character.

7. Pink Opals

This opal is pink birthstone of October with colour ranging from baby pink to rose, lavender or cream, and  commonly used in rings, necklaces and earrings.

8. Hydrophane Opals

Hydrophane opals are porous opals with greater affinity for water. They temporarily change their appearance when immersed in water.

Healing and Metaphysical Properties of Opal Stones

Physical Healing

Opals are believed to reduce fever, treat infections, and renew dead skin cells. They can reduce pain in case of PMS and childbirth, and are also good for nails and hair growth.

Emotional and Mental Healing

Opal brings optimism, passion and creativity. It enhances intuition leading to one’s inner exploration which reveals both negative and positive aspects of a personality. This stone promotes personal growth and emphasizes the karmic law of cause and effect.

Metaphysical Properties

Opal is a powerful metaphysical stone. Different varieties of opals correlate to different chakras:

• Black and Boulder Opal – Root chakra

• Fire Opal – Sacral chakra

• White Opal – Crown chakra

•  Pink Opal – Heart chakra

• Blue Opal – Throat chakra

Opal is thought to be connected to the spirit realm enhancing the angelic connections. It is an ideal stone for spirituality and shamanic journeys. So, opals help you to develop a deeper connection not only with your surroundings but also with your own self.

October Birthstone: Tourmaline 

Tourmaline is a vibrant October birthstone renowned for its incredible diversity. It displays a stunning array of colours ranging from pink and green to deep blue and black.  

Tourmaline Birthstone Associations

Varieties of Tourmaline

Popular varieties of tourmaline include:

1. Paraíba Tourmaline 

This extremely unique gemstone is sourced from Paraíba, Brazil. Paraíba tourmaline is known for its breathtaking aqua, blue-green and violet colour due to copper inclusions. Its captivating beauty, limited availability and aesthetic appeal make it one of the most expensive gemstones in the world with price ranging from $1500–$9000/carat.

 2. Pink Tourmaline 

Pink Tourmaline has unique characteristics which make it a standout gem. Colour spectrum ranges from baby pink to magenta hues with slight purplish tinge. Its colour intensity depends on the manganese concentration. Its colour changing properties and colour zoning make it the favourite stone of jewelers and gemologists.

 3. Rubellite

Rubellite or red tourmaline is a pink to red coloured tourmaline with moderate to deep shades. It is sometimes mistaken for a ruby. High quality rubellite price ranges from $300–$1000/carat.

4. Chrome Tourmaline 

Chrome tourmaline possesses a striking emerald green colour. Its exceptional durability makes it one of the most coveted gemstone in the market. Price ranges from $100–$500/carat.

5. Black Tourmaline/Schorel

Schorel is a black coloured tourmaline. It is loved for its luster and durability. It is generally affordable and easily available, making it a perfect choice for those looking for budget-friendly and chic jewelry options.

                                                 6. Blue Tourmaline / Indicolite

Blue Tourmaline shows blue hues ranging from light blue to greenish blue to violet. Though there is a hint of green shade but blue colour is always pre-dominant in Indicolite. Apart from healing properties, this stone also has pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties, so it has electrical as well as industrial uses. 

 7. Green Tourmaline / Verdelite

Verdelites are tourmalines with green as their dominant hue. The depth of green colour is determined by the amount of sodium in the stone.

8. Watermelon Tourmaline

Watermelon tourmaline is a unique variety of tourmaline named so for its appearance similar to watermelon as it has a red core with green exterior. This lithium rich gemstone with its concentric zoning of colours has become a highly sought-after jewelry item.            

9. Achroite Tourmaline

The word Achroite means colourless. Achroite Tourmaline is a rarely found colourless tourmaline variety having transparent to translucent clarity. 

Healing and Metaphysical Properties of Tourmaline Stones

Healing Properties

Tourmaline is thought to enhance the immune system, assist in detoxification, boost blood circulation, diminish inflammation, and alleviate chronic pain. These therapeutic benefits make tourmalines an ideal option for individuals dealing with ongoing pain and inflammation.

Metaphysical Properties

Tourmaline’s desired colour palette and properties make it a perfect stone for balancing different chakras. Its metaphysical properties include promoting creativity and emotional balance, spiritual growth and encouraging a sense of universal connection.

Here are some specific healing properties of tourmalines:

• Black Tourmaline – Protection from negative energy and grounding

• Blue Tourmaline – Third eye for intuition

• Green and Pink Tourmaline – Heart chakra for love

• Black Tourmaline – To counteract negative vibrations from electronics

• Pink Tourmaline – For Peaceful dreams

• Watermelon Tourmaline – For promoting love and harmony.

Alternative Birthstones for October along with associated Cultural Meaning

Best October birthstone jewelry for gifts

October-born individuals deserve a considerate gift featuring none other than the most beautiful jewelry featuring October gems opals and tourmalines. These stones bring a special and one-of-a-kind touch, ideal for making a person's day special.

Some of the lovely October birthstone gift suggestions that you can consider are as follows:

October Birthstone Earrings

Tourmaline earrings can complement so many styles, highlighting opal's stunning colors and eye-catching effect.

Opal Studs and Huggie Earrings 

Exquisite opals set within diamonds make classic and sophisticated earrings combining brilliance of diamonds with iridescence of opals. 

October Birthstone Necklaces 

Necklaces featuring tourmaline or opal look sophisticated and attractive. These October gems display a natural elegance with mesmerising play-of-color making them perfect as birthday or anniversary gifts.

Tourmaline and Diamond Necklace is an exquisite necklace pairing tourmaline and diamond glimmer.

Pink Tourmaline Birthstone Necklace can serve as a charming and infinity knot gift for 8th wedding anniversary, ideal for showing love and gratitude.

Tourmaline Pendants come in various colours ranging from soft pink to vibrant green. Tourmaline Pendants are so versatile that you can wear them not only with fancy clothing on special occasions but also with everyday attire at informal settings.

October Birthstone Bracelets 

Opal and tourmaline bracelets can be the ideal accessory for any occasion. These bracelets offer endless possibilities. These stones can be stacked as a bold style or worn individually for a subtle look, in the form of tourmaline cuffs or delicate beaded opal bracelets.

Gold and Tourmaline Bracelet

Elevate your style with a gold and tourmaline bracelet combining timeless elegance with modern fashion trends.

October Birthstone Rings

Opal and tourmaline rings can be quite a fashion statement. You may opt for different designs, like asymmetrical opal and diamond rings or bi-color tourmaline rings. Bi-Colour Tourmaline Ring is a gorgeous ring displaying the unique bi-colour beauty of tourmaline.

Opal and tourmaline engagement rings offer a stunning, vibrant and affordable alternative to traditional diamond rings, symbolizing hope, healing and protection for the new couple.

Shop October birthstone collection with Folkmarketgems

Looking for October birthstones and crystals or want to buy captivating tourmaline pendants that reflect your unique style? Visit Folkmarketgems and explore their stunning collection of opal and tourmaline jewelry. Folkmarketgems not only offers jewelry items featuring natural gemstones ensuring authenticity and quality but also serves as a perfect marketplace for you where you can get discounts for bulk purchases guaranteeing fast and reliable shipping.

Common FAQs about October Birthstones

What is the Official October Birthstone?

Opal and Tourmaline are the official birthstones of October. Though opal is the original, traditional birthstone that dates back to Roman era, tourmaline was later introduced as another official birthstone for October.

Does October Has Three Birthstones?

October has two official birthstones, Opal and Tourmaline. However, some other birthstones like Agate (October 1-31), Jasper (October 1-31), Jacinth (October 1 and 23) and Garnet (October 24-31) are also included in the list of October birthstones.

What Does October Symbolize?

The month of October is a symbol of abundance, good fortune, gratitude, transformation, hope, intelligence and passion.

What colors are found in October birthstones?

Colors of Opal include White, Pink, Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red, Purple

Colors of Tourmaline include Pink, Green, Blue, Black, Watermelon (pink & green), Brown, Yellow, Multicolor

Can opal and tourmaline be used in engagement rings?

Yes, opal and tourmaline can be used in engagement rings.

Opal and tourmaline engagement rings offer a stunning, vibrant and affordable alternative to traditional diamond rings, symbolizing hope, healing and protection for the new couple.

Conclusions

With their rich beauty and symbolic meanings, opals and tourmaline are truly fascinating gemstones, not only for those born in October but also for gemstone enthusiasts. The iridiscence of opals and vibrant hues of tourmalines offer a unique blend of elegance and style making October birthdays and wedding anniversaries even more memorable.

Find your perfect opal or tourmaline piece that goes best with your personality! Explore Folkmarketgems to discover your favourite pendants and rings featuring opals and tourmalines to find your perfect birthstone jewelry.

Related Articles

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2. How Valuable is Tourmaline Stone? What is tourmaline price per carat?

3. Buying Guide of Tourmaline Gemstones and Mineral Group

4. Buying Engagement Ring Online / Where to Buy Engagement Ring Online?

5. Folkmarket Gems: A Best Place to Buy Gemstones Online