Opal is a distinctive and well-liked gemstone that, among other things, lends itself wonderfully to jewelry. Ever notice the way an opal’s many colors shine? Continue reading to learn five interesting facts about the popular opal, the birthstone for October!
- Many people think that rain becoming caught inside of a rock is how opal forms. Crystalline silica in the rock is carried downward by the rain. The silicon slowly dries out after that.
- NASA made a really intriguing finding in the year 2008. Opal deposits have been discovered on Mars!
- Australia provides over 95% of the valuable birthstones for October in the globe. Since 1875, opal has been mined in Australia!
- Regarding the opal gem stone’s exceptional abilities, both Ancient Greeks and Romans held distinct views. Many individuals in Ancient Greece believed that opal might make you psychic! The common gemstone was associated with optimism and love in Ancient Rome.
- The abundance of silica spheres of various sizes is what gives opal gemstones their wide range of colors. The lovely October birthstone’s stunning array of colors is produced by light refraction caused by the spheres.
In This Article...
Is October Birthstone Opal or Tourmaline?
Opal and pink tourmaline are two magnificent birthstones that honor those who were born in October. Both opal and tourmaline, the birthstones for October, typically emit a range of hues. Jewelry with October birthstones stands out thanks to the variety of colors. Any piece can be altered to fit your personality and style. There are several jewelry alternatives available with these distinctive jewels, ranging from pendants to earrings.
Is October Birthstone Opal or Pink?
Opal and pink tourmaline are the birthstones for October. The main birthstone, tourmaline, is one of the few stones that can be found in practically every color, making it a rare gem. Some pink tourmalines are as clear as diamonds in clarity! Opals, on the other hand, are unique in their own right. Opal patterns have their own descriptive terminology since they are so distinctive. Opals are the most distinctively individual gems. The most fragile gemstones worn frequently are opals, which need specific maintenance.
Why Does October have two Birthstones?
The National Association of Jewelers decided to compile a list of acceptable birthstones for each month in 1952 in an effort to standardize the birthstones. That last has since been modified over time to match adjustments in fashion trends and stone supply. In the instance of October, there were concerns raised regarding the durability of the opal and it was thought by many to be excessively feminine in look. To add tourmaline to the mix, the association made this decision. More recently, it was determined that opal and pink tourmaline would be the birthstones for October.
What is the October Birthstone Meaning?
The opal, the traditional birthstone for October, is thought to have originated in India (where the first opals were imported to the West), where it was known as upala, or a “precious stone,” in Sanskrit. This was known as opalus in ancient Rome. The majority of opals are prized for their rainbow-hued color shifting, or “play of color.”
The more recent birthstone for October is tourmaline. Due to the frequent presence of several hues in a single crystal, the term is derived from the Sinhalese word toramalli, which means “stone with mixed colors.” Few gems can rival the stunning variety of colors found in tourmaline. Perhaps for this reason, ancient mystics thought that the birthstone for October could stimulate creative expression. There is a color scheme for each mood. The pink and red rubellites, the emerald green “chrome tourmalines, and the neon green and blue-to-violet “paraba tourmalines are among the most well-liked varieties.
What Color is the October Birthstone?
The traditional birthstones for October are opal and tourmaline. Some of the most exquisite and unusual gemstones include opal and tourmaline.
No other gem compares to the opal’s dynamic kaleidoscope of kaleidoscopic colors. The brilliance of fine opal is difficult to describe in words and elusive. It has been compared to volcanoes, galaxies, jellyfish, pyrotechnics, and jellyfish.
The tourmaline, which is generally depicted as pink, actually comes in a variety of colors, including pink (which is the approved color to represent October’s birthstone), blue, luxurious reds, and greens, which are used to embellish the showrooms of luxury jewelers.
What Are Typical October Birthstone Rings?
Shop rings with the birthstone of October at Joseph’s Jewelry. To celebrate this month of birthdays, we have some amazing rings to offer. Here are a few examples:
- Teardrop Pink Created Zircon and Diamond 14K White Gold Ring
- Pink created zircon stackable ring made of 14K white gold.
- Ladies’ Pink Created Zircon and Diamond Ring in 925 Sterling Silver
What Are Typical October Birthstone Necklaces?
Visit Joseph’s Jewelry to view our lovely October birthstone necklaces. Check out our selection of October birthstone necklaces to get exactly what you’re searching for;
- Pink Created Zircon Pendant Necklace in 14K White Gold with Diamond Accents
- Opal Cross Pendant in 14k Yellow Gold
- Pink Created Zircon and Diamond Halo Drop Necklace in 14K White Gold
JanuaryGarnet
Garnet, the birthstone for January, is said to protect its owner when they are traveling. Because the gem resembles the color and shape of a pomegranate seed, the name “garnet” is derived from a term that means “seed.
FebruaryAmethyst
Amethyst, the birthstone for February, is thought to improve communication and offer the wearer bravery. Only royalty could wear the jewel in the past. The amethyst was believed to protect against intoxication by the ancient Greeks. Amethyst is really derived from the Greek word amethystos, which means “sober.”
MarchAquamarine, Bloodstone
Drinking the water the aquamarine, the birthstone for March, had been bathing in was said to cure stomach, liver, and heart ailments. Early sailors thought that aquamarine talismans bearing engravings of the sea god Neptune shielded them from the perils of the ocean.
The bloodstone, a dark green gemstone with scarlet flecks, is another birthstone for March.
AprilDiamond
The diamond, the birthstone for April, has long been associated with courage and is a symbol of unending love. The Sanskrit word for diamond is vajra, which also means lightning. In Hindu mythology, Indra, the king of the gods, used vajra as his weapon.
MayEmerald
Emerald, the birthstone for May, was a favorite jewel of Cleopatra’s. It has been linked to love, rebirth, and fertility for a very long time. This stone was even dedicated to Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, by the ancient Romans. Emeralds are now considered to represent knowledge, development, and patience.
JunePearl
Pearl, the birthstone for June, has traditionally been associated with purity. The goddess of love Aphrodite was thought by the ancient Greeks to have created pearls out of her dried up tears of ecstasy.
JulyRuby
The ancient Hindus revered ruby, the birthstone for July, as the “king of stones.” It was thought to keep the wearer safe from evil. The intense red color of the ruby now stands for passion and love.
AugustPeridot
Peridot, the birthstone for August, represents fortitude. Due to its pale green hue, it is frequently referred to as the “evening emerald.” The green peridot crystals discovered in volcanic ashes were once thought to represent the tears of Pele, the volcano goddess. This diamond was thought to ward off nightmares when set in gold.
SeptemberSapphire
Sapphire, the birthstone for September, was long supposed to ward off evil and poisoning. It was thought that putting a poisonous snake in a sapphire container would cause it to die. The sapphire, which has historically been a favored stone of priests and rulers, stands both innocence and knowledge.
OctoberOpal
Opal, the birthstone for October, represents loyalty and assurance. The term is derived from the Latin word opalus, which means “precious jewel.” Opal-set necklaces were worn to ward off evil and preserve vision.
DecemberTurquoise
Turquoise, the birthstone for December, is viewed as a love charm. It is also a representation of luck and success, and wearing one is said to calm the mind and shield the person from harm. Particularly turquoise rings are said to ward off evil spirits.
Learn More
Do you know your natal flower now that you know your birthstone? See our page of flowers by birth month!
Enjoy our birthday facts, history, folklore, and other fun stuff on our birthdays page.
Which hue is the birthstone for each month?
What stones represent each month’s birth? Garnet, amethyst, aquamarine, diamond, emerald, alexandrite, ruby, peridot, sapphire, tourmaline, topaz, and blue topaz are the gemstones associated with the months of January through December. Find out more about these well-known gemstones.
What do you name a birthstone that is pink?
You are one of those people who can choose your birthstone if you were born in October. Originally, opal was the acknowledged birthstone for October in the gem industry, but in 1952, the Jewelry Industry Council selected pink tourmaline as a replacement. The American Gem Society and the National Retail Jewelers Council accepted and approved these revisions. Although pink tourmaline was the original designation for the gemstone, many now accept tourmaline of any color as the birthstone for October. Given that tourmaline can be found in almost every color on a color wheel or color chart, it has recently gained popularity as a gemstone.
The Singalese word tourmali, which meaning “mixed stones,” is whence the word tourmaline gets its name. Gravel has been discovered with ruby, sapphire, peridot, and spinel in places like Sri Lanka and Burma. Early gem traders presumably called red tourmaline ruby, blue tourmaline sapphire, green tourmaline peridot, etc. since they were ignorant of the visual and physical characteristics of stones other than color. Modern gem testing tools have made it possible for gemologists to distinguish between all of these stones, and it was the advent of optical gem testing procedures that made the world aware of the gemological characteristics of exquisite tourmaline.
Aluminum and Boron are complicated silicates that make up tourmaline. The fact that tourmaline comes in so many various colors is due to the fact that many different elements can substitute for one another in the crystal lattice. Due to the multiple different substitutions that can occur within the crystal, it would be challenging to draw down a tidy and straightforward formula for tourmaline. In the past, red and blue tourmalines were referred to by names like rubellite and indicolite, respectively. It is now preferred to use names like red tourmaline, blue tourmaline, etc. instead of the mineral suffix ite, which implies that each is a separate mineral.
Due to its many color variations, tourmaline serves as a good illustration of another type of mislabeling. For instance, Brazilian sapphire or Brazilian emerald are occasionally used to refer to blue and green tourmalines, respectively. Such names mislead the prospective purchaser into believing the stone is something it is not.
Identification of tourmaline is not difficult. The two refractive indices, 1.620 and 1.640, allow for some doubling of back facets and impurities in the stone, and finished stones have a delicate sheen. In addition, lengthy tubes that are parallel to the crystal’s c-axis may be visible in tourmaline. The typical tourmaline crystal has a deep striated outer surface and is long and subtriangular in cross section. The stone must be oriented by the lapidary such that its table is parallel to the crystal’s c-axis. When the table is perpendicular to the crystal’s c-axis, tourmaline will absorb light along that axis and take on an extremely dark body color. If you have access to a transparent tourmaline crystal, observe it from angles that are parallel to and perpendicular to the c-axis. The result will be impressive.
Watermelon tourmaline and particolor tourmaline are two separate phenomena that tourmaline may exhibit. In the former, the crystal’s exterior layer is green, its inside is red, and it may also contain little black inclusions that resemble black seeds and are shaped like a cross section of a watermelon. The term is now applied to any tourmaline that has an inside color and an outside layer of crystal that is a different color. The different concentrations of metallic cations that were preferred during the crystallization of tourmaline from a solution or melt may be the cause of these color variations.
Tourmaline has been discovered in Maine, North Carolina, and California in the US. Due to their small size and numerous microscopic fractures, the South Dakotan Black Hills have generated some exquisitely colored blue stones that have only sometimes been utilized as gems. Fine tourmaline crystals in a variety of colors have been manufactured in large quantities in Brazil and have found usage as both cut gems and museum pieces. Africa’s Namibia, Nigeria, and Zambia have recently produced some exceptional gem tourmaline.
Can a birthstone for June be pink?
Although some are much more rare than others, June birthstones come in a variety of colors. White, pink, light pink, cream, silver, green, light green, brown, black, orange, yellow, purple, gold, and iridescent are among the colors found in moonstone, alexandrite, and pearls.
Are there two birthstones for May?
Birthstones are diamonds that stand in for the month a person was born.
As an illustration, the birthstone for the month of May is emerald.
Therefore, emerald is the birthstone for persons who were born in May.
The practice of wearing particular gemstones in jewelry as “birthstones for a given month” originated in eighteenth-century Europe and swiftly migrated to the United States. The custom spread to the United States, where in 1912 the American National Retail Jewelers Association (now known as Jewelers of America) published a list of standardized monthly birthstones that was used by jewelers all over the nation. In the US, birthstone jewelry is still quite popular.
What are the 12 birthstones’ colors?
The gemstones that correspond to a birth month are known as birthstones, and each one has a special symbolism and historical significance. Birthstones have been popular since prehistoric times, when people thought they possessed extraordinary abilities like luck, good health, and prosperity. Normally, just one birthstone is linked with each month, but as you’ll see below, some months have more than one birthstone. The birthstones that are currently connected to particular birth months may not be the same ones that were utilized in the past. They did not discriminate between gems the way we do today since color was considered to be the most significant characteristic of a gemstone back then. For instance, they were incapable of telling a Ruby from a Garnet. The American Gem Society has approved the modern birthstone list that is represented by our list.
January | Garnet
The birthstone for January is garnet, which is mined in a variety of hues. It is regarded as a wonderful gift to represent friendship and trust, and comes in a variety of vibrant hues, including the flaming orange of Mandarin Garnet, the lush green of Tsavorite Garnet, and the most well-known color, Pyrope Garnet.
What hue is the birthstone for June?
The Pearl is the June birthstone, and the hue of the June birthstone is light purple. Moonstone and Alexandrite are additional birthstones for June as well as alternate options.
Zodiac birthstones for Gemini (May 22 – Jun 21) and Cancer (Jun 22 – Jul 22) are pearl and moonstone.
Pearls are frequently worn by brides on their wedding day because they represent purity, fidelity, and integrity. The present given to commemorate the first, third, and thirtyth wedding anniversaries is pearl jewelry.
Pearls are created inside mollusks around an outside particle and are the only biological birthstone (made from a living organism). Cultured pearls are simply pearls that have been intentionally placed into a mollusk, causing a pearl to form.
The name “pearl” derives from the Latin “pirum,” which meaning “pear,” and refers to the oblong shape of pearls.
Watch the brief educational videos below to learn about the origins, meanings, and characteristics of Alexandrite and Moonstone, the other June birthstones.
What hue is the birthstone for July?
One of the most sought-after stones is the ruby, which is the birthstone for July. The name is a translation of the Latin word ruber, which means “Red is the color of passion and love. The ruby birthstone is one of the few things that stands out. The July birthstone’s richest shade is a deep red with a tinge of purple dubbed “trade in the blood of pigeons. The color of ruby, a type of the mineral corundum, is caused by minute levels of chromium. The red is stronger the more chromium there is. Here is the information you need to choose a gorgeous July birthstone for yourself or a loved one who was born in the month of July.