October is one of only a few months with two birthstones, and they could not be more different. Opal holds every color at once in a single flashing stone. Tourmaline comes in more single colors than any other gem. Here is what makes each one special, how to choose one, and how to care for it.
Opal: the stone that holds a rainbow
Opal is made of tiny spheres of silica stacked in neat rows. When light passes through, those spheres split it into separate colors, the same way a prism does. This is called play of color. Turn an opal a few degrees and green slides into blue, and blue catches fire. No two opals have the same pattern.
The name is thought to come from the Sanskrit upala, meaning precious stone, by way of the Latin opalus. Opal has long been a symbol of hope, creativity and new beginnings.
Types of opal you will see
- White opal has a milky, light body with soft pastel flashes.
- Black opal has a dark body that makes its colors look especially bright.
- Ethiopian opal often has a clear to honey-colored body and strong, vivid color. Our Ethiopian opal bead necklace is a good example.
- Fire opal is warm orange to red, and it is prized for its body color more than for play of color.
- Blue opal and inlay opal are popular in sterling silver inlay jewelry, like our opal and turquoise inlay hoops and lapis and opal earrings.
How to choose an opal
You cannot really choose an opal from a photo. Hold it under the light and roll it slowly between your fingers. Look for color that moves across the whole face of the stone, not just one corner. Notice which flashes you keep coming back to. There is no wrong answer, only the stone that catches your eye.
How to care for opal
Opal is softer than most gems, about 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, so a little care goes a long way.
- Put it on after lotion, perfume and hairspray.
- Take it off for dishes, swimming, cleaning and the gym.
- Store it on its own in a soft pouch, so harder stones cannot scratch it.
- Clean it with a soft cloth dampened with plain water. Never use an ultrasonic or steam cleaner.
- Avoid sudden changes in temperature.
Opal is a lovely choice for earrings and pendants, where it is protected from everyday bumps. For a ring, look for a setting that surrounds the stone with metal.
Tourmaline: a gem in every color
Tourmaline grows in more colors than any other gemstone, from deep forest green to hot pink, blue, violet and nearly black. A single crystal can even hold two or three colors. The most famous is watermelon tourmaline, which is pink in the center and green at the rim.
Because there are so many shades, you do not have to settle for one "tourmaline color." Pick the one that suits the person: green for someone who loves the outdoors, pink for someone playful, watermelon for someone who cannot decide. Tourmaline is traditionally associated with creativity and calm.
Wearing and caring for tourmaline
Tourmaline is harder than opal, about 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, so it works well in rings, earrings and everyday pendants. Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush, then dry it with a soft cloth. Like most gemstones, it is best kept away from harsh chemicals and high heat.
Opal or tourmaline: which should you choose?
- Choose opal if you want a stone that changes as you move and a piece that feels truly one of a kind.
- Choose tourmaline if you have a favorite color, or you want a durable stone for a ring you will wear every day.
- Choose both for a mixed-stone piece that celebrates all of October.
Gift ideas for October birthdays
- A simple opal ring for everyday wear.
- An aquamarine and blue opal necklace for someone who loves blue.
- Opal SoapRocks or Fire Opal SoapRocks, hand-sculpted soaps that look like real mineral specimens and slowly polish like stones in a stream as you use them.
Browse everything in our October birthstone collection, or see the stones for every month in our birthstones by month guide.
See October's birthstones in Redmond
Opal is best seen in person, under the light, where its color can move. Visit Utopia in Redmond Town Center, Suite C115, in Center Court near the fountains, next to Starbucks and Soma. Parking is in the garage off 164th Ave or 166th Ave, and the Light Rail stops right at Redmond Town Center. Get directions.