Looking for a beautifully sentimental gift for someone born in October? You simply can’t go wrong with a piece of October birthstone jewellery.
Whether it’s a ring, necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings, nothing says ‘I really put some thought into this present and didn't just panic on Amazon Prime' than October birthstone jewellery - a bit like September birthstone jewellery. Equally, if you’re in the market for a new accessory and your birthday falls in the tenth month of the year, why not treat yo'self to a piece?
The best news for those born in October is that you’re entitled to not one, but two birthstones: the traditional opal and the newer tourmaline #blessed. Both stones are imbued with mythology and have been treasured since the Middle Ages. It’s long been thought that wearing the gemstone associated with your birth month will boost luck, health and happiness - and we could all do with a dose of those as we head into the cost of living crisis, right?
According to the Ancient Greeks, opals bestowed the gift of prophesy and protection from disease; and it's also thought to be a symbol of truth, purity and optimism. Tourmaline, meanwhile, is thought to inspire artistic expression, which is hardly surprising considering it comes with a plethora of vibrant colours that are each thought to have their own healing properties.
Interested in snapping up a piece of October birthstone jewellery but not quite sure whether to plump for opal or tourmaline? Read on for everything you need to know about the two October birthstones, how they can enhance your life and the very best to buy for every budget…
ASOS DESIGN pack of 6 rings in opal stone set designMissoma 18-karat gold-plated opal necklaceWhat is the original Birthstone for October?
The original birthstone for October is opal - a name which is believed to have originated in India, where the very first opals were found before they were brought to the Western world.
Opal’s original name in Sanskrit was upala, which translates to ‘precious stone’, which later became ‘opalus’ in ancient Rome, which just sounds pretty damn fabulous to us.
It’s thought that opals are formed when rainwater trickles down into rock and remains there until the silica has dried out. The gemstone’s shifting colours in rainbow hues - known as ‘play-of-colour’ - are the result of the light bouncing off the stone’s large quantity of differently-sized silica spheres and reflecting in different colours. It’s this sensational spectrum of colours that make opals such an eye-catching piece of jewellery.
Why are there 2 birthstones for October?
It's confusing, we know. Allow us to explain…
Opal is the traditional October birthstone, but tourmaline is considered the second - and more modern - one. Many of the months of the year have acquired two birthstones due to precious gems coming in and out of fashion over time. In some cases, precious gems have become so rare and expensive that the price tag is simply too much for shoppers, hence cheaper varieties have been introduced. Variety is the spice of life, after all.
So what do we know about the second October birthstone? Well, tourmaline is a super precious gem that derived from the Sinhalese word ‘touramalli’, which translates as ‘stone with mixed colours’.
According to Egyptian legend, Tourmaline passed over a rainbow during its formation, which is why it dazzles so brilliantly with the seven colours of the rainbow. The October birthstone is mined in more colours than of any other gemstone, with virtually every single colour represented.
Tourmaline is most commonly found in Brazil, but it is also mined in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kenya, Madagascar and Mozambique, whilst California and Maine are also recognised producers of the gemstone.
Shola Branson 9K Yellow Gold Tourmaline Hoop EarringSet of Two Opal Chain EarringsWhat is the gemstone colour for October?
There isn’t one set hue for October due to the extravagant array of colours both opal and tourmaline exhibit. Instead, both gemstones offer a veritable kaleidoscopic rainbow variety of intensely different pigments and reflections, which have been compared to galaxies, rainbows, and fireworks so they certainly make for some aesthetically-pleasing jewellery if you're into all things bright and beautiful.
Opal has a vast spectrum of light and colour within its corundum, whereas tourmaline distributes and reflects its many different and dazzling hues amongst individual crystals.
What does October birthstone mean?
The Ancient Greeks were convinced that the precious gems bestowed the gift of prophesy and protection from disease upon their owners. Later down the line, Europeans lauded opals as a symbol of purity, hope and truth. In fact, in 2008, NASA discovered opal deposits on planet Mars, which is pretty major. Opal is also the stone given to celebrate a 14th wedding anniversary so if you’re looking for a sentimental gift for a partner to mark your nuptials, you can’t go wrong with opal.
Tourmaline, meanwhile, is said to inspire artistic expression thanks to its stunning array of vibrant shades (including pink, purple, orange, green, blue, and even black). Since the Middle Ages, it’s been thought that the different colour hues within tourmaline each inspire different attributes and properties, for example the watermelon tones are linked to love and romance, while the vivid green and black tourmaline stones are a source of compassion and self-confidence. The possibilities (and outfit choices) are endless with such versatile gem stone.
Pippa Small Glacier 18-karat gold tourmaline earringsSydney Evan Small Clam Shell 14-karat yellow and white gold, opal and diamond braceletAfter more jewellery content? We've got plenty, including gold jewellery, gold hoop earrings and initial pendants. We've also got friendship bracelets, pearl jewellery, unique engagement rings, Missoma jewellery, Monica Vinader jewellery, resin rings a la Dua Lipa and clip on earrings (yes, really).
Scroll through our edit of October birthstone jewellery to shop now and wear forever…
Andrea Fohrman Peek-a-Boo 14-karat gold opal ankletOctober Birthstone Stud Earrings in GoldOctober Birthstone Huggies in GoldRetrouvaí 14K Yellow Gold Tourmaline Pendant NecklaceJia Jia 14K Yellow Gold Gaia Tourmaline Herkimer Diamond NecklaceOctober Birthstone Beaded RingRoxanne First 14K Yellow Gold Honey Beaded Opal NecklaceCornelia Webb Recycled sterling silver opal necklaceGold Opal Stacking RingsIrene Neuwirth Sapphire, tourmaline & 18kt gold charmRoxanne First 14-karat gold tourmaline ringSoru Jewellery Opal Star & Diamond Micro Mosaic Pendant, 18ct GoldPippa Small 18-karat gold tourmaline necklaceJacquie Aiche 14K Yellow Gold Heart Tourmaline Signet RingCornelia Webb 24-karat gold-plated sterling silver opal braceletWWAKE 14K Yellow Gold Bove Opal RingKingsley Ryan single piercing stud earring in opal starO Thongthai 9K Yellow Gold Opal RingncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qLjApqauqp2WtKLGyKecZ5ufY8Kse8Crq6KbnJp8sK%2FTqJmeql2XtrPAx6yrqKaV