October Birthstone: Opal & Tourmaline
October is one of the lucky months with two birthstones to choose from: opal and tourmaline. Here is what each stone means, how to care for them, and which makes the better gift.
Key Takeaways
- October has two birthstones: opal (the traditional stone) and tourmaline (the modern one). Either is correct for an October birthday.
- Opal is soft โ it sits at about 5 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale โ so it needs gentle handling and protection from knocks, heat, and sudden temperature changes (GIA).
- Tourmaline is harder and tougher โ 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale โ and is fine for everyday rings (Jewelers of America).
- Tourmaline comes in nearly every colour, so you can match a favourite shade. Opal is prized for its shifting rainbow flashes, called play-of-colour.
- For a ring worn daily, we usually steer people toward tourmaline. Opal is wonderful in earrings, pendants, and occasional-wear pieces.
What is October's birthstone?
October is one of a handful of months with two official birthstones: opal and tourmaline. Opal is the older, traditional choice, and tourmaline was added later as a modern alternative (GIA). Both are recognised by the major gem authorities, so you are not picking the "wrong" one either way. The real choice comes down to how the piece will be worn and which look the person prefers โ a single flashing stone full of colour, or a clean gem in a colour you can choose almost from scratch.
Opal: the traditional October stone
Opal gets its name from the Sanskrit upala, meaning a precious stone (GIA). What people love about it is the play-of-colour: tilt the stone and you get darting flashes of green, blue, orange, and pink across the surface. No two opals flash the same way, which is part of the appeal. Historically it has carried a reputation as a stone of hope, creativity, and inspiration.
Here is the catch you need to know before you buy. Opal is soft โ around 5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale (GIA). For comparison, a diamond is a 10 and everyday quartz is a 7. Opal also holds water within its structure, which is part of why it can craze, meaning develop fine surface cracks, if it dries out from heat or sudden temperature changes. That same softness means harder stones will scratch it if they share a jewellery box. If you want a deeper look at gemstones and how they are graded, see our gemstone guide.
Tourmaline: the modern October stone, in every colour
Tourmaline's name comes from the Sinhalese toramalli, meaning "stone of mixed colours" โ which is exactly right (GIA). It has one of the widest colour ranges of any gem (Jewelers of America). Different trace elements produce different colours: iron tends toward black, deep blue, and green, while manganese gives you the pinks and reds. Some crystals even show two colours at once, like the green-and-pink "watermelon" tourmaline.
A few named varieties are worth knowing: rubellite (the rich pink-to-red), chrome tourmaline (a vivid emerald green), and Paraรญba (an electric neon blue-green that commands the highest prices). At 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, tourmaline is hard enough for daily wear, including rings (Jewelers of America). It stands up well to light and most chemicals, though strong heat can damage it, so keep it away from a jeweller's torch and steamer.
Opal vs tourmaline at a glance
| Feature | Opal | Tourmaline |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Traditional | Modern |
| Mohs hardness | ~5โ6.5 (soft) | 7โ7.5 (durable) |
| Colour | Rainbow play-of-colour | Nearly every colour, single or mixed |
| Holds water? | Yes โ can craze if dried out | No |
| Daily-wear ring? | Better in earrings/pendants | Yes, holds up well |
| Best for | A one-of-a-kind colour show | Matching a specific favourite colour |
Caring for opal (read this before you buy)
Opal needs more care than most stones, and that is the single most useful thing we can tell an October shopper. Because it is soft and holds water, it does not love extremes. A few simple habits keep it healthy:
- Clean it with a soft cloth and warm, mildly soapy water. Skip the ultrasonic and steam cleaners โ they can crack or craze it.
- Keep it away from prolonged heat and sudden temperature changes, including hot cars and direct sun for long stretches.
- Put jewellery on last, after hairspray, perfume, and lotion.
- Store it separately so harder stones cannot scratch it. Solid natural opals can be wiped with a damp cloth; opal doublets and triplets should never be soaked.
On our Coquitlam bench we set opal in protective styles โ bezels, halos, lower-profile mounts โ when someone wants to wear it often, and we are happy to talk you through whether a particular opal suits a ring or is better as a pendant. Tourmaline is far more forgiving: warm soapy water and a soft brush, kept away from high heat, is all it asks. For the basics on looking after any stone, see our jewellery care guide.
Gift ideas for an October birthday
If the piece will be worn every day on the hand, tourmaline is the safer, lower-maintenance gift, and you can choose the colour to suit the person โ a green-eyed friend, a pink-loving daughter, a deep-blue-favouring partner. Pink and green tourmaline pendants and stud earrings are easy wins. Opal shines as a statement: a pendant or pair of earrings where the play-of-colour catches the light without taking the daily knocks a ring does. Either makes a thoughtful, personal birthday gift, and we can build a custom piece around the exact stone you fall for.
Related guides
Want to go deeper on coloured stones? Start with our gemstone guide for the wider picture, or read all about diamonds if a clear stone is more your style.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the two October birthstones?
October has two birthstones: opal, the traditional stone, and tourmaline, the modern stone. Both are recognised by the major gem authorities, so either is correct for an October birthday.
Is opal too soft to wear?
Opal is soft, sitting at roughly 5 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, so it can scratch or craze. It is best in earrings, pendants, and occasional-wear rings rather than a ring worn hard every day. A protective bezel setting helps if you want to wear it more often.
Why does opal need special care?
Opal is soft and holds water within its structure. If it dries out from heat or a sudden temperature change, it can develop fine cracks called crazing. Clean it gently with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners, and never soak opal doublets or triplets.
What colour is tourmaline?
Tourmaline has one of the widest colour ranges of any gem and comes in nearly every hue. Popular varieties include pink-to-red rubellite, vivid green chrome tourmaline, neon blue-green Paraรญba, and the two-tone green-and-pink watermelon tourmaline.
Which October birthstone is better for an everyday ring?
Tourmaline. At 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale it is hard and tough enough for daily ring wear, while opal's softness makes it better suited to earrings and pendants.
Can I choose either opal or tourmaline as an October birthstone gift?
Yes. Both are official October birthstones, so the choice is purely personal. Pick tourmaline if you want a specific colour and low-maintenance daily wear, or opal if you want a one-of-a-kind stone with shifting rainbow flashes.