October birthstone: opal and tourmaline, history and care

Two stones for October

The October birthstone is opal in every list. Tourmaline is associated with it in the current American list; its place in the 1912 list is given differently depending on the source, some dating it to 1912, others to revisions of 1952, where pink tourmaline is cited. The older list had chosen opal and aquamarine.

So you have at least two stones to choose from: one with shifting reflections, the other with vivid colours.

Opal: a stone made of silica and water

Opal is made of silica (the same ingredient as quartz), but non-crystalline, and it contains water (generally 3 to 10%, sometimes more). Its hardness is 5.5 to 6.5. In precious opal, tiny silica spheres stacked in a regular pattern break up light and produce the play of colour that gives it its reputation. “Common” opal lacks this play of colour, but can be very beautiful, milky or coloured, like the pink and blue opals of Peru.

Most of the world's precious opal comes from Australia. Ethiopia has supplied very bright opals since 2008, Mexico supplies orange fire opals, and Central Europe (in present-day Slovakia) long supplied Europe until the 19th century.

Pliny the Elder, in the 1st century, already described opal as one of the most admired stones, and recounted that a Roman senator preferred exile to giving it up to Mark Antony: a reported story, not verified.

Pink tourmaline

Tourmaline is not a single mineral but a group. Pink tourmaline belongs to the variety called elbaite; its colour comes from manganese. The pink-red variety is called rubellite. Its hardness is 7 to 7.5. It comes from Brazil, Mozambique, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Africa.

The name comes from a Sinhalese word, turamali, which Dutch merchants brought back from Ceylon in the 18th century. This stone has a curious property: when heated or rubbed, it attracts small light particles such as ash, which earned it the name “ash magnet”. See also the profile of pink tourmaline.

Traditional symbolism

Opal, with its shifting reflections, has been associated with imagination, creativity and hope. The ancients compared it to all the colours of other stones. Pink tourmaline evokes tenderness and friendship; it is often linked to the heart chakra. These correspondences are traditional symbols, which vary from one author to another, with no scientific proof.

A little history: the “unlucky” opal?

It is sometimes said that opal is a stone that brings bad luck, particularly to those not born in October. Many specialists trace this legend to the 19th century and to Walter Scott's novel Anne of Geierstein (1829), in which an opal plays a fatal role. This role of the novel is often cited, but it is debated: the legend may also come from opal's fragility, or from rumors spread by merchants. It is therefore a modern superstition, not an ancient rule.

Whatever its origin, opal regained its place thanks to the great Australian deposits, worked from the second half of the 19th century, and the 1912 list made it the October stone.

Other possible stones in October

• pink opal and blue opal, common opals from Peru, affordable;
• the watermelon tourmaline, pink at the core and green on the outside;
• the green tourmaline;
• the labradorite, with shifting reflections comparable to those of opal.

Giving an October birthstone

For an opal, prefer a pendant or earrings, which are less exposed to knocks than a ring. Pink tourmaline, which is more robust, suits a ring. For a gentler budget, a pink or blue Peruvian opal, or a small tourmaline, has plenty of charm.

Browse our jewellery and gift ideas collections.

Care, treatments and imitations

Opal. Fragile: it can crack with strong heat, prolonged dryness or a knock. No ultrasonic cleaning, no steam, no chemical products. A soft cloth, slightly damp, is enough. Do not let it soak: some opals (called hydrophane, like many Ethiopian opals) absorb water and change appearance. Assembled stones (doublets and triplets) are especially sensitive to water, which can separate the layers.

Opal treatments and imitations. Black opals on a matrix are sometimes treated with smoke or sugar to darken the background. Others are impregnated with plastic. Doublets and triplets bond a thin layer of opal to a backing: they are common and legitimate if disclosed. Synthetic opals also exist, as do imitations in glass or plastic.

Pink tourmaline. Sturdy: lukewarm water, mild soap, cloth. Avoid ultrasonic cleaning if the stone is cracked. The colour can be improved by heating, and imitations in pink glass exist. See our guide to choosing and caring for your stones.

Frequently asked questions

Also read

The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to Guide to birthstones.