Babies born in October have the exquisite pleasure of having not just one gorgeous birthstone, but two: tourmaline and opal. This technicolor duo offers a stunning range of options for our Libra and Scorpio pals.
Traditionally, the October birthstone was always opal. However, opals are softer stones that range from 5.5–6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, which means they can be more susceptible to scratches and impact. Tourmalines, which range from 7–7.5 on the Mohs scale, were added to offer a more durable option for October birthdays.
Both tourmalines and opals come in a mesmerizing array of colors, much to the delight of collectors and October babies. Some might say there’s a little magic in every stone, and we like to think that’s absolutely true.
Each stone has distinctive characteristics and either would be a meaningful choice for your favorite October baby. Here’s everything to know about their beauty, meaning, durability, and the many varieties worth adding to your jewelry collection.
OCTOBER’S CLASSIC BIRTHSTONE: OPAL
For October birthdays, opals are a classic and poetic choice. Opals are famous for their mesmerizing play-of-color, a phenomenon that reveals a spectrum of rainbow hues under the light.
Popularized in the Victorian and Art Nouveau eras, opals really took off during the mid-20th century when opal mining in Australia flooded the market. But opals are far from your grandma’s favorite stone. Modern jewelry artists love using opals to create unique, contemporary pieces that are both affordable and meaningful for October babies.
If you prefer a more classic and traditional looking opal, we love the magnificence of Lauren Wolf’s Opal Octagon ring paired with the matching Opal Octagon necklace.
To show off the multi-hued brilliance of these stones, the Opal studs by WWAKE feature stunning Australian opals which are set in recycled yellow gold.
A PLAY OF COLOR: UNIQUE OPALS
Opals are mainly known for a milky white complexion, however opals also come in a variety of distinct patterns and colors. No two are exactly alive! Some of the most rare and unique opals are boulder and fire opals, known for streaks of color that resemble the earth’s molten core.
At ESQUELETO, such unique opals appear in our catalogue from time to time. One of our current favorites is the Simone Opal Pendant necklace by Scosha, which features a large and distinct blue opal surrounded by diamonds and is accompanied by a bright red ruby set in the chain.
To discover more opal jewelry, browse our full collection.
OCTOBER’S NEWEST BIRTHSTONE: TOURMALINE
Long believed to be stones of protection, emotional harmony, and creative expression, tourmalines are growing in popularity as October’s favorite birthstone. Remarkably versatile, tourmalines are found in more colors than any other gemstone. You may know and love the rare watermelon tourmaline or the elegant teal tourmaline, but did you know that tourmalines are available in every color under the rainbow? From yellow to blue to red to multi-color stones, there’s a tourmaline for every October personality.
When shopping for your tourmaline, you might choose a color that feels meaningful to you based on what it represents. For many, a pink tourmaline represents love and compassion, whereas a blue-green tourmaline symbolizes vitality and abundance.
To discover tourmaline jewelry from ESQUELETO, browse our full collection.
TEAL TOURMALINE HIGHLIGHT
If you love ethereal, oceanic hues, the teal tourmaline offers a breathtaking blend of greens and blues.
An artist in the ESQUELETO community known for beautiful tourmaline jewelry is Celine D’Aoust. Celine specializes in ethically sourcing and hand-selecting each tourmaline for her handmade pieces. The result is truly one-of-a-kind and deliciously collectible tourmaline jewelry. Here are some of our favorite Celine D’Aoust tourmaline pieces:
For lovers of a blue tourmaline, we adore her one-of-a kind Teal Tourmaline & Diamond Jellyfish earrings and the Sun & Moon necklace.
If you prefer greener hues, the Multi Seafoam Green Tourmaline & Diamond necklace is a special piece that captures the majestic quality of the stones. To showcase the stone’s amazing array of color, the Large Multi Green Tourmaline Necklace features a variety of green tourmalines. We also love the watery green-blue stones used in her Green Marquise Tourmaline Chain earrings.
Another artist at ESQUELETO who showcases the majestic nature of the tourmaline is WWAKE. Often pairing ethically sourced tourmalines with recycled gold, the pieces are instant heirlooms. Set in recycled gold, the Tourmaline Baguette band would be a gorgeous wedding band for couples celebrating an October wedding.
We also offer beautiful tourmaline options in the ESQUELETO Essentials collection. A favorite piece is our classic solitaire Green Tourmaline Marquise ring.
A HARMONIOUS UNION: OPAL AND TOURMALINE JEWELRY
Can’t decide between tourmaline or opal for your birthstone? No need to choose! There are exquisite handmade pieces in our collection that combine both of these beautiful October birthstones.
WWAKE has paired the two October birthstones together with these special Opal & Tourmaline Stela earrings, which combines a striking Australian opal with teal tourmalines.
To celebrate the stones further, we love how Scosha combines tourmalines and opals with other colorful stones in these iconic Yin Yang Fan earrings. Pair it with the Rokia ring, where our two October birthstones are set alongside a diamond, ruby, and orange sapphire to create a dazzling shield-like ring.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I wear an opal everyday?
Yes, though we would recommend taking off opal rings whenever there’s heavy activity or water involved. Opals are soft stones (5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale) and are sensitive to both chemicals and elements, so be mindful to remove your opal before bathing, swimming, cleaning, and applying lotion.
How should I take care of an opal?
When cleaning your opal, avoid full immersion and soaking the stone in water. Use a soft cloth and mild soap to give your opal a gentle cleaning, and always make sure to store it properly in a soft pouch or jewelry box away from harder stones, like diamonds and sapphires, which could scratch the stone.
Are opals trendy stones for 2026?
Yes! Opals are rising in popularity thanks to an interest in more colorful gemstones. Versatile and available in a range of color hues, opals offer both October birthdays and stone lovers a multitude of options. Affordable and timeless stones, opals are an excellent choice for anyone beginning to build their fine jewelry collection.
Can I wear a tourmaline everyday?
Yes, a tourmaline is a gorgeous everyday stone that combines elegance with durability. Ranging from a 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, it is fairly resistant to scratching. However, to protect your tourmaline, we recommend storing it safely away from diamonds or other hard gemstones to prevent damage and to remove it when doing strenuous activity.