October babies are lucky enough to get two birthstones to choose from: opal & pink tourmaline! Opal got its name from the Greek word opallios, which means “to see a change in color,” and it’s easy to see why! Thanks to its composition of microscopic silica spheres, a rainbow of colors appears when this gemstone is exposed to light.
There are many different types of opals that range from black to white and even red (known as a fire opal), each believed to bring good luck and protection to the wearer.
The mysteriously beautiful opal is considered a delicate stone, coming in at 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness, and can crack under high heat, so a little extra care is in order when it comes to wearing and cleaning this stone.
Though most would agree that opals are worth the extra effort, October’s other birthstone—pink tourmaline—is more forgiving with a Mohs scale ranking of 7 to 7.5.
Associated by the ancients with artistic pursuits, tourmaline derives its name from the Sinhalese words “tura mali,” meaning “stone of mixed colors.” Indeed, the pink variety associated with October is only one of the many colors tourmaline can be! Different traces of minerals and elements lend this unique gemstone its hues, and the pink version comes from manganese.
Tourmaline is mined in many areas of the world like Brazil, Mozambique, Afghanistan and even the United States in Maine and California, while about 95% of opal is mined in the Outback of Australia—though Nevada and Idaho have some too!
As always, modern technology gives us the option of creating both opal and tourmaline in the lab, which is a great option for the eco-conscious shopper or those looking for a flawless stone at a fraction of the price. Not to be confused with imitation stones, lab-created gemstones are chemically, optically and physically identical to their naturally formed counterparts.
Take a look at our collection of opal and tourmaline jewelry right here on our website or visit one of our stores to see it all in person! We hope to see you soon!
