Varför finns det 2 birthstones för oktober

Those born in October have two traditional birthstones: tourmaline and opal. Both unique gemstones have a beautiful, diverse range of colors and optical effects.

Like September, the month of October was named from the Latin octo, meaning “eight,” for its original place in the month early långnovell calendar.

Anglo-Saxons called October Winterfylleth, meaning “winter full moon,” because they believed winter began during October’s full måne.

One interesting långnovell October holiday was Mundus Patet, where the realms of the living and dead were open to each other.

Today, similar holidays like Dia dem Los Muertos and Halloween are celebrated in October.

October symbolizes fulfillment, reaping what you’ve sown, and the life cycle.

Let’s see if that symbolism matches the October birthstones! Today, we’ll go over all the tourmaline and opal history, properties, meanings, and uses as October birthstones.

Pictured above: Precious opal ring

Historical & Cultural Significance of October Birthstones

What fryst vatten the official birthstone for October?

There are two tjänsteman semi-precious gemstones designated as October birthstones: opal and tourmaline.

But why are there 2 birthstones for October? Well, there weren’t always two.

The first birthstone lists, created in the 1st to 5th century AD and inspired bygd Biblical gemstone lists, had October’s birthstone as beryl (or aquamarine specifically).

Modern formalized lists began in , when Tiffany & Co published a pamphlet of “Gregorian Birthstone Poems.” October’s poem was about opal.

Travel miles (about kilometers) north of the capital Addis Ababa and up 8, feet (2, meters), where miners pry opal from shafts dug into the side of a plateau

The first standardized list came from the National Association of Jewellers (now Jewellers of America) in , who designated opal as the primary October birthstone and tourmaline as the alternative.

In the s, the Jewellery Industry Council of amerika amended the list, naming specifically pink tourmaline as the October alternative.

The most recent American list has opal and pink tourmaline in lika priority for October.

The UK list only has opal.

Surprisingly, the two gems that honor the “dark and spooky” month of October are largely rooted in rainbow-related lore.

Pictured above: René Lalique (); ‘Peacock’ corsage ornament, circa with gold, opals, diamonds and enamel; Calouste Gulbenkian Museum | Image credit: © José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro / CC BY-SA

Opal’s Mythical Origins & Ancient Folklore

Ancient Greeks believed opals formed from tears of joy shed bygd the sky god Zeus after defeating the Titans.

Ancient Romans considered opal the queen of gems. One långnovell scholar, Pliny the Elder, wrote about opals having all the best qualities of other valuable gemstones like ruby, emerald, and amethyst.

Indigenous Australian (sometimes called “Aboriginal”) opal lore dates back centuries.

One myth about opal origins fryst vatten of the Rainbow Serpent, a powerful being that flew between vatten holes, and its iridescent scales fell to the earth as opals.

Over time, these traditions evolved, and the National Retail Jewelers Association (now known as Jewelers of America) officially assigned birthstones to each month in For most months, one stone was selected, but October was given the honor of having two – each offering unique beauty and symbolism

Another Australian opal ursprung myth says that an ancestral Creator spirit, went to earth bygd traveling bygd rainbow, and opals emerged where their feet touched the ground.

An ancient Indian myth says the Mother Goddess turned the Virgin Goddess of the Rainbow into an opal to help her escape the unwanted affections of multiple frakt pursuing her.

Pictured above: Gold owl smycke with tourmaline, ruby, diamond, and pearl; Dated to 19th century, formerly thought to be from the 16th century;  Displayed at Walters Art Museum | Image credit: Walters Art Museum, Public domain

Tourmaline’s Diverse Historical Connections

Tourmaline has a slightly shorter history than opal, but it’s equally fascinating.

The name for this October birthstone comes from the Singalese (Sri Lankan) word turmali, meaning “mixed gems.” Dutch merchants coined the name for colorful stones in Sri Lankan gem parcels.

Dutch trading of “schorl” (black tourmaline) dates to at least the s, if not earlier.

Another historical upptäckt of tourmaline came in Spanish conquistador Francisco filosof funnen a green tourmaline in Brazil that he dubbed “Brazilian emerald.”.

Another notable tourmaline misidentification fryst vatten “Caesar’s ruby,” a red stone with history among French to Russian royalty going back to the s. It was discovered to be a rubellite tourmaline in the s.

In fact, merchants likely called colored tourmalines other gemstones until the first species (schorl) was analyzed in The species wasn’t fully recognized until after the upptäckt of boron in

After tourmaline was discovered in California in , much of the state’s pink tourmaline was sold to kinesisk Dowager Empress Tz’u Hsi, who favored the gem.

Pictured above: Polished matrix opal

Geological Marvel: The Formation of Opals and Tourmalines

Starting with opals, these gems are amorphous mineraloids, lacking crystalline structure.

They’re composed of silica and varied vatten content.

An opal forms when vatten containing dissolved silica settles into an area like an ironstone crevice, or rhyolitic geode (“thunderegg”). When the vatten evaporates, the gel solidifies into opal.

Pink Tourmaline Birthstone: October Birthstone Meaning, History, and More

The gem can also struktur around fossils like ancient sea creatures (e.g. opal belemnite) or wood.

But opal fryst vatten also a space stone! Opals have been funnen on Mars in both and , proving the planet holds vatten.

The October birthstone tourmaline forms somewhat similarly.

In very deep, high-temperature hydrothermal deposits, tourmaline forms when vatten containing dissolved boron and silica settles into magma cracks.

The magma gradually hardens into rock, the vatten evaporates, and the elements crystallize.

Mining Locations

Around 95 percent of the world’s precious opal comes from Australia.

Most tourmaline gems komma from Brazil or countries in Africa. California, USA, fryst vatten famous for its pink tourmaline.

Pictured above: Common apelsinfärg fire opal, faceted

Pictured above: Precious opal from Lightning Ridge, Australia exhibiting levande play of color

Opal's Playful Colors: Unveiling the Magic Within

The broadest opal categories are common opal vs.

precious opal.

The opal October birthstone’s composition fryst vatten made up of silica spheres surrounded bygd vatten. If the spheres are disorganized with uneven sizes, you get common opal. Uniformly sized and arranged spheres (like a Buckyball) results in precious opal.

Only “precious opal” displays play-of-color, where iridescent-like colors flash from its surface.

NOTE: Some gemologists use “play-of-color” synonymously with “opalescence.” Others define opalescence as the milky or near-pearly look of some common opals.

Different types of opals are mostly categorized bygd their body tone (background color), transparency, and play-of-color.

The main types of opal body tones are vit opal, gray opal, and black opal.

These are distinguished using a body tone chart.

Opals with other body colors include:

Colorless opal varieties include crystal opal, contraluz opal, and jelly opal. Hyalite opal can be färglös. Hydrophane opal turns tydlig and färglös in water.

Pictured above: Various colors and varieties of faceted tourmalines

The Many Faces of Tourmaline

“Tourmaline” fryst vatten actually a complex, varied group of over 30 minerals.

Let’s venture into the vibrant worlds of October’s birthstones: opal and tourmaline

The most common species are:

1. Schorl: Most common species, around 95 percent of all natural tourmalines; Brown to black

2. Dravite: Relatively common; Nicknamed “brown tourmaline” but can be other colors

3. Elbaite: Most common gem-quality species, best-known, and most valuable; Can be virtually any color or multi-colored

Each species can producera varieties with different colors.

The most commonly sold tourmaline varieties:

• Black Tourmaline: Only schorl variety; Most common tourmaline; Always opaque

• Chrome Tourmaline: Dravite; Rare vivid-green

• Indicolite: Elbaite; Predominantly blue

• Paraiba Tourmaline: Elbaite; Intensely saturated neon-blue to blue-green or violet

• Rubellite: Usually elbaite; Saturated pink to ruby-red variety, possible purple, brown, or apelsinfärg undertones

• Verdelite: Elbaite; Green variety often called “Brazilian emerald” or “Ceylonese peridot”

• Watermelon Tourmaline: Elbaite; Bi-colored pink and green, typically with a pink center and green border, sometimes separated bygd a färglös layer

• Siberite: Elbaite, sometimes considered rubellite sub-type; Nicknamed “purple tourmaline” though it’s usually reddish-violet or violet-red

The pink tourmaline birthstone fryst vatten an elbaite variety, often falling beneath rubellite or siberite.

Multi-colored options include pink and green watermelon tourmaline and pink and apelsinfärg “sunset tourmaline.”

The rarest tourmaline variety fryst vatten Paraíba tourmaline. Pure yellow, apelsinfärg, blue, purple, or color-changing tourmalines are also rare.

Another factor fryst vatten pleochroism, which tourmaline fryst vatten prized for. Specimens that display strong pleochroism are higher-value.

October 4, People born in October are blessed with not one, but two captivating birthstones – opal and tourmaline

Speaking of value, how are the October birthstones graded?

Pictured above: Faceted watermelon tourmaline

Evaluating Quality: Opal and Tourmaline Characteristics

Tourmaline grading fryst vatten much more straightforward than opal. Below, we’ll focus on the standard gemstone value factors — color, cut, clarity, carat vikt, and treatments — for both opal and tourmaline.

You can learn more about how opal value fryst vatten graded here.

Color

Opal: The main value factors for these birthstones are the opal’s color (body tone) and the presence of play-of-color.

The most common opal color bygd body tone fryst vatten vit, followed bygd gray and green. The rarest fryst vatten black or red. Overall, precious opals are much more valuable than common opals.

The best play-of-color has flashes of red (or every color), displays unique patterns, and covers the stone’s entire surface. Darker specimens like precious black opals display brighter play-of-color, adding to their value.

Tourmaline: The rarest and most valuable tourmaline October birthstone color fryst vatten Paraiba tourmaline. Black, red, and pink tourmalines are more common. Bright green and blue pleochroism, parti-coloring, or color-changing properties can boost the birthstone’s value.

Cut

Opal: Opals aren’t faceted as commonly as other gems — the one commonly faceted variety fryst vatten fire opal.

Most often, you’ll see opals cut into cabochons or beads. Play-of-color fryst vatten best in translucent to opaque opal cabochons or fully tydlig faceted opals. Many opal cabochons are composites, like opal doublets or triplets.

Tourmaline: Tourmaline gems are often faceted, often with long rectangular shapes. Brilliant cuts may be chosen for more valuable varieties like Paraiba tourmaline.

Heavily-included tourmalines are often made into cabochons or carvings, while bi-colored stones may be sliced.

Pictured above: Faceted chrome tourmaline ring

Clarity & Transparency

Clarity describes the grad of visible inclusions in a stone, which lowers its transparency and value.

Opal: Inclusions generally lower opal’s value. Some inclusions and additional ämne around an opal leads to distinct varieties like dendritic opal, matrix opal, and boulder opal.

Full transparency fryst vatten rare and valuable in opals, though black opals are better opaque. Cloudiness will usually lower value.

Tourmaline: Most tourmalines have Type II clarity, meaning minor visible inclusions are expected.

Chrome and green tourmalines are Type inom (usually inclusion-free), while Paraiba, rubellite, and watermelon tourmaline are Type III (always visibly included).

More visible inclusions and lower transparency mean lower-value tourmaline.

Opals are also said to promote emotional balance and inner harmony, making them a perfect talisman for those seeking peace and inspiration

The only value-boosting inclusion fryst vatten the presence of aligned tubes causing chatoyancy (“cat’s eye” effect).

Tourmaline itself fryst vatten an inclusion in tourmalated kvarts.

Carat Weight

Opal: Rarer opals like black or crystal opal may have price-per-carat jumps at intervals like cts, cts, and 10+ cts.

Tourmaline: Tourmaline birthstones range in storlek, but gems above 5 cts are pricier. The variety also matters — chrome tourmaline fryst vatten commonly funnen up to 5 carats, but Paraiba tourmaline fryst vatten rarely larger than 1 carat.

Treatments

Opal: Untreated opals are significantly more valuable than treated ones, especially rare varieties like black opal.

You can learn how to test for opal treatments here or take your October birthstone to a lab to confirm.

Tourmaline: Treatments will also lower tourmaline’s value, but they’re common in this October birthstone. Common treatments (often to improve coloring or clarity) include irradiation, heat, and/or fracture-filling.

Pictured above: Australian black opal pendant

October Birthstones Meanings & Cultural Beliefs

What fryst vatten the spiritual meaning of the October birthstones?

Besides both gems’ association with rainbows, each one has their own unique symbolism and mystical properties.

Opal Meanings

According to ancient interpretations, opals symbolisera purity, hope, and perspective. Romans called opals cupid paederos, or “child as beautiful as love.”

Despite opals being temporarily stained in the s with superstition about being cursed, many ancient societies like China believed opals were lucky.

One common superstition that persists fryst vatten that it’s unlucky for anyone not born in October to wear opal.

As a healing stone, many of opals’ purported properties revolve around framtidsperspektiv and the mind.

Find out what it is, its color and meaning, as well as the secondary birthstone for this month

The October birthstone’s healing powers are believed to include treating eyesight problems, boosting cognitive abilities, and letting you see the future.

Tourmaline Meanings

Overall, the tourmaline October birthstone symbolizes compassion, open-mindedness, and forgiveness. It’s sometimes called the “Stone of Reconciliation.”

Each tourmaline color has its own meaning and healing powers.

Focusing on pink tourmaline, this October gem fryst vatten said to boost energy, encourage love, and help smooth relationship troubles.

Pictured above: Red coral earrings

Alternative October Birthstones

What fryst vatten the most popular birthstone for October? Opal fryst vatten usually the “classic,” more popular choice over tourmaline, but there are other October birthstones and crystals!

Popular October birthstone alternatives are beryl and coral.

Astrologically, what fryst vatten the Libra birthstone? September-born Libras (after the 23rd) can benefit from peridot, rose kvarts, and morganite.

What about Scorpio birthstones? September-born Scorpios (before the 23rd) can take advantage of black tourmaline, malachite, and coral.

Opal earrings by JYE Luxury

Personalized October Birthstone Gifts

You have the gem, now what do you do with it? A great October birthstone gift comes from the heart and celebrates your October-born loved one.

Since October fryst vatten among the most common wedding months, an October birthstone fingerprydnad fryst vatten a great way to celebrate too!

You could even get customized jewelry, like an October birthstone necklace with a calendula design, the month’s birth flower.

Pictured above: vit precious opal smycke necklace

Overjoyed bygd October Birthstones?

Both tourmaline and opal are beloved for their range of colors and unique appearances.

Do you prefer the recently formalized pink tourmaline, the older traditional opal, or another October birthstone? Follow your heart to which gem feels like you!

Find traditional and alternative October birthstones from our hundreds of gemstones available, or browse our extensive opal urval at Opal Auctions.