October Birthstones: Opal & Tourmaline

October is one of the months lucky enough to have multiple officially recognized birthstones. While, opal was the original birthstone, in the early 1800s tourmaline began to be officially recognized as the second option.


Opal is famous for showing a multitude of colors within the same cut of the gemstone. Depending on lighting, angles, and size, the translucent stone can dazzle viewers with an array of colors unlike any other gemstone. This can range from just a couple, to an entire rainbow contained inside the stone, and this just depends on what chemicals and elements were present while the gem was being formed. 

 

There are two distinctions of opals: precious and common. Precious opal is the version that shows numerous colors at once, while common opal is more commonly black or white. Due to the variety of colors shown in precious opal stones, it was once believed to hold the healing properties and benefits of every single colored gemstone. However, the public opinion on opal has not always been positive. Centuries ago, some believed the stone to be unbelievably lucky, while others were sure of the fact that it was seriously unlucky. Regardless of past superstitions, opal is commonly gifted in celebration of a 14th wedding anniversary.

 

Opal is formed when water containing the element silica makes its way into open pockets of space between layers of rocks. Once the water began evaporating, silica would start to stick to the sheetrock layers and opal, as we know it, would take shape. Today, we know that up to 20% of an opal’s chemical composition can be water. Another reason for the translucent, or even transparent, appearance the gemstone tends to give off.

 

In the mid 1900s, opal was first mined in Australia, which would lead the country/continent to be the world’s main source for years. Today, opal deposits and mines can be found all over. Countries like Mexico, Wales, Brazil, Ethiopia, the United States, and many places in Central Europe are producing quality opal.


For the second October birthstone, tourmaline, variety of color options prevails again. Tourmaline is known for forming in virtually every color imaginable; however, pink tourmaline is most commonly associated with October birthdays. Unfortunately, due to the vast array of colors tourmaline can possess, it was commonly mistaken for other gemstones like emeralds, rubies, and sapphires throughout history. On the other hand, there are benefits for the stone forming in different colors. It was believed that tourmaline could possess the benefits and healing properties of any gemstone. For example, if you had a red tourmaline stone, you would be benefitting from the healing properties of ruby and garnet. On this same note, since the color scale is seemingly infinite, the value of tourmaline stones comes down to the color saturation. 

 

Tourmaline is mined right here in the United States, mostly with California and Maine being home to massive deposits of the rainbow-colored gemstone. It can also be found in other parts of the world, such as: Mozambique, Pakistan, Madagascar, Kenya, Afghanistan, and more!

 

These days, tourmaline is commonly given as an eighth wedding anniversary present. So, when the time comes to buy a gift for a loved one celebrating their eighth year together, consider a tourmaline in a color that matches their personality, birthstone, or current wardrobe.