October Birthstone: Opal & Tourmaline
October's birthstones are opal and tourmaline. Play-of-colour, and traditionally a symbol of creativity, hope.
- Stones
- Opal & Tourmaline
- Colour
- play-of-colour, every colour
- Hardness
- Mohs 5.5–6.5 · 7–7.5
- Zodiac
- Libra · Scorpio
Opal
Opal isn't crystalline like other gems — it's a lattice of tiny silica spheres that split light into shifting flashes of colour, a different fire in every single stone. That water-born structure also makes it soft and delicate: it can craze if it dries out. Australia's outback, around Coober Pedy and Lightning Ridge, yields roughly 95% of the world's precious opal.
Traditionally a symbol of creativity, hope, and Mohs 5.5–6.5 — softer, so wear it gently and clean it with care. How to care for it →
Where does opal come from?
Opal is mined chiefly in Coober Pedy, Australia — Australia mines roughly 95% of the world's precious opal.
Coober Pedy, Australia
Australia mines roughly 95% of the world's precious opal
Where is opal cut and traded?
Opal is cut and traded in Coober Pedy & Lightning Ridge, Australia.
Tourmaline
The gem of every colour — a single crystal can shade from pink to green in the same stone ('watermelon' tourmaline). It carries a quirk of physics: warm it or rub it and it develops a static electric charge, drawing up ash and dust, which is how Dutch traders first told it apart from other stones.
Traditionally a symbol of balance, inspiration, and Mohs 7–7.5 — tough enough for everyday wear. How to care for it →
Where does tourmaline come from?
Tourmaline is mined chiefly in Minas Gerais, Brazil — and Nigeria, Afghanistan and California.
Minas Gerais, Brazil
and Nigeria, Afghanistan and California
Where is tourmaline cut and traded?
Tourmaline is cut and traded in São Paulo, Brazil and Idar-Oberstein, Germany.
Modern & traditional
Birthstone lists have shifted across cultures and centuries — the modern one was standardised by the American jewellers' trade in 1912 and updated since. Opal & Tourmaline are the modern choices for October. Opal is October's traditional stone; tourmaline joined it on the modern list in 1912.
Common questions
What is October's birthstone?
October's birthstones are opal and tourmaline. Opal is October's traditional stone; tourmaline joined it on the modern list in 1912.
What colour is October's birthstone?
October runs two — opal is play-of-colour, and tourmaline is every colour.
What does October's birthstone mean?
Opal traditionally stands for creativity, hope; Tourmaline traditionally stands for balance, inspiration — associations carried by custom, not science.
Why does October have two birthstones?
Birthstone lists evolved across cultures and eras, and jewellers' associations later added alternates for choice, durability and affordability — so October carries opal & tourmaline.
Where are opal and tourmaline mined?
Chiefly Coober Pedy, Australia — Australia mines roughly 95% of the world's precious opal. Tourmaline comes chiefly from Minas Gerais, Brazil.
What is the Libra and Scorpio birthstone?
October runs from Libra into Scorpio, and opal & tourmaline serve both — though sign-based tables can differ from the calendar-month lists.
Should you choose opal or tourmaline for October?
Both are official October birthstones, so either is a genuine choice. Opal (play-of-colour, Mohs 5.5–6.5) is softer, so it's best kept for occasions or worn as a pendant or earrings rather than a ring; Tourmaline (every colour, Mohs 7–7.5) takes everyday wear well. Choose by the colour you prefer, how hard it'll be worn, and budget.
Can you wear October's birthstones every day?
Opal is Mohs 5.5–6.5 — softer, so best kept for occasions or worn where it takes fewer knocks, like a pendant or earrings rather than a ring; Tourmaline is Mohs 7–7.5, hard enough for daily wear.