October Birthstones: Opal & Tourmaline

Two stones for one month, one famous for its flashes of colour, the other for having almost every colour there is.

October has two birthstones: opal and tourmaline. In the UK, the National Association of Goldsmiths has listed opal alone since 1937. Tourmaline, usually pink, joined opal on the American list in 1952, and today both are widely recognised as October's stones.

It suits the month. October is when the colour in everything starts to shift, and both of its stones are defined by colour that won't sit still.

Opal: October's Traditional Stone

Opal

Opal doesn't behave like other gemstones. It has no crystal structure at all. It is formed from tiny spheres of silica, settled in water over millions of years. When light passes between those spheres it splits, and the result is opal's play of colour: flashes of green, blue and red that move as the stone moves. No two opals show quite the same pattern.

Most of the world's precious opal comes from Australia, and every opal still holds some of the water it formed in. That's part of why it is softer than most gemstones, at 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, and why it asks for a little more care.

Its name is thought to trace back through the Latin opalus to the Sanskrit upala, simply "precious stone". For centuries opal was considered the luckiest of stones, said to hold the virtues of every gem whose colour it showed. Its reputation for bad luck came much later. A popular 19th-century novel is often blamed for it, and Queen Victoria did a good deal to undo it by wearing opal and giving it as gifts.

Opal is associated with creativity, hope and emotional openness, a stone for seeing things from more than one angle.

Tourmaline: October's Modern Stone

Tourmaline

Where opal flashes colour, tourmaline simply has it. It occurs naturally in more colours than almost any other gemstone: pink, green, blue, black, golden, and sometimes several at once in a single crystal, as with watermelon tourmaline. Pink tourmaline is the shade most associated with October.

The name comes from the Sinhalese turmali, once used in Sri Lanka for a mix of unidentified coloured gems. Tourmaline also has an unusual physical quirk: warmed, it builds an electrical charge strong enough to draw in light particles. Dutch traders are said to have used it to pull ash from their pipes.

At 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, tourmaline is noticeably harder than opal. That durability is a large part of why it was added to October in the first place. It is associated with balance, grounding and protection, and pink tourmaline in particular with compassion and gentleness.

Opal or Tourmaline: How to Choose

There's no wrong answer, but the two stones live differently.

For everyday wear, tourmaline is the more forgiving choice, especially for rings and bracelets that take knocks.
For something worn more gently, like a pendant or earrings, opal's softness matters less, and its play of colour is hard to match.
For meaning, opal leans towards creativity and hope; tourmaline towards balance and protection.
For the UK tradition, opal is the stone on the British list.

October Birthstone Jewellery at Symbolia

We don't currently stock opal. Rather than suggest a substitute we wouldn't call a genuine match, we'd point you to tourmaline, October's recognised second stone.

Our Iris Tourmaline Pendant Necklace is set in sterling silver and makes an October birthday gift with a story behind it. You'll find everything else in our tourmaline collection. For the darker, grounding side of the family, black tourmaline has its own guide.

Every piece comes with a meaning card explaining the stone inside.

Not sure tourmaline is your stone? Tell us how you're feeling, or look to your birth chart, to find your stone.

Find Your Stone → Your Birth Chart →

Caring for Opal and Tourmaline

Opal: Clean with a soft, damp cloth only. Keep it away from sudden changes in temperature, harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners. Store it on its own, so harder stones can't scratch it.

Tourmaline: Warm water, a little mild soap and a soft brush are all it needs. Avoid sudden heat, which can affect some colours.

October Birthstones, Answered

What is the birthstone for October?

October has two birthstones: opal and tourmaline. Opal is the older, traditional stone. Tourmaline, usually pink, was added in 1952 as a harder-wearing alternative.

What is October's birthstone in the UK?

Opal. The UK list, set by the National Association of Goldsmiths in 1937, gives October to opal alone, though tourmaline is widely accepted here too.

What colour is the October birthstone?

Opal is usually milky white or dark, with flashes of rainbow colour. Tourmaline comes in almost any colour, with pink the shade most linked to October.

Why does October have two birthstones?

Opal is soft enough to scratch and chip with daily wear. Tourmaline was added as a more durable choice in a similar spirit of colour.

Is opal unlucky?

For most of its history opal was considered one of the luckiest stones. Its unlucky reputation dates mainly from the 19th century and has long since faded.