The October birthstone is opal, with tourmaline as the second official choice. Opal is the traditional stone, known for its shifting rainbow play of color. Tourmaline, usually sold as pink tourmaline for October, comes in almost every color. Opal rates 5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale and tourmaline rates 7 to 7.5, so tourmaline handles daily wear better (GIA).
This guide goes deep on October only. For every month in one place, see the birthstone chart by month.
What Is the October Birthstone?
October has two birthstones: opal and tourmaline. Opal is the original October stone, and pink tourmaline is the modern alternative most jewelers stock. Both are fully official, so you can choose by color, budget and lifestyle rather than by rule.
October is pink and multicolor. Pink comes from pink tourmaline, while opal brings flashes of blue, green, orange and red against a white, black or clear body. That mix makes October one of the most colorful months on the list.
The October birthstone pairs a soft stone with a hard one. Opal rates 5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, while tourmaline rates 7 to 7.5, according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA, 2026). Anyone choosing an October ring for daily wear should weigh that gap before deciding between the two stones.
Why October Has Two Birthstones: A Short History
October has two stones because the first standardized American list already named an alternate. In August 1912, the National Association of Jewelers met in Kansas City and adopted a list that gave October opal as the birthstone and tourmaline as the alternate stone, as printed by gem expert George F. Kunz in The Curious Lore of Precious Stones (1913).
In 1952, the Jewelry Industry Council of America updated the list and added pink tourmaline to October, along with new options for June, November and December (International Gem Society). That update is why pink became October's signature color.
Older traditions looked very different. Kunz compared eight historical birthstone lists and found beryl named for October in all 8, aquamarine in 5 and opal in only 1. He openly argued that beryl suited October better than either modern stone.
George F. Kunz tallied eight historical birthstone lists in 1913 and found beryl assigned to October in all eight, while opal appeared in just one. The modern opal and tourmaline pairing therefore comes from the 1912 Kansas City list and the 1952 trade update, not from ancient tradition (Kunz, 1913; International Gem Society).
Opal: Play of Color, Types and Meaning
Opal is famous for play of color, the moving rainbow flashes that change as the stone tilts. GIA explains that precious opal is built from sub-microscopic silica spheres stacked in a grid. Light diffracts between the spheres, and sphere size sets the color: about 0.1 micron produces violet and about 0.2 micron produces red (GIA opal description).
Gemologists group opal into five main types:
- White or light opal: play of color on a white or light body.
- Black opal: play of color on a dark body, the most dramatic look.
- Fire opal: yellow, orange or red body color, often without play of color.
- Boulder opal: opal cut together with its host rock.
- Crystal or water opal: a clear body with vivid flashes.
Australia is the world's most productive source of opal, and Ethiopia's Wollo Province also yields large amounts (GIA). The name likely traces back to the Sanskrit upala, meaning precious stone, which became opalus in ancient Rome. Europeans long saw opal as a symbol of purity, hope and truth, and Bedouin lore said opal held lightning and fell from the sky during storms.
Tourmaline and Pink Tourmaline: Colors and Meaning
Tourmaline has one of the widest color ranges of any gem, appearing in shades of virtually every hue (GIA tourmaline description). Tourmaline is a group of related minerals that share one crystal structure. Manganese produces its pinks and reds, while iron and possibly titanium create greens and blues.
The trade names below help you shop by color:
| Tourmaline variety | Color | October relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Pink tourmaline | Light to medium pink | The classic modern October pick |
| Rubellite | Pink to red | Deeper, richer take on October pink |
| Watermelon | Pink center, green rim | Two colors in one stone |
| Indicolite | Blue to violetish blue | A cool toned alternative |
| Paraíba | Intense neon blue to green | Rare, colored by copper |
| Chrome tourmaline | Intense green | Often mistaken for emerald |
The name comes from the Sinhalese word toramalli, meaning stone with mixed colors. Tourmaline's color range has fooled people for centuries: a Spanish conquistador who found green tourmaline crystals in Brazil in the 1500s took them for emeralds (GIA). Today, pink tourmaline is often associated with compassion, gentleness and balance in modern birthstone lore.
Opal vs Tourmaline: Which October Birthstone Fits You?
Choose tourmaline for everyday rings and bracelets, and choose opal when the rainbow effect matters most and the piece will see gentle wear. Neither stone is better overall. The right pick depends on how often you will wear it and how much contact it will take.
| Factor | Opal | Tourmaline |
|---|---|---|
| Mohs hardness (GIA) | 5 to 6.5 | 7 to 7.5 |
| Signature look | Rainbow play of color | Saturated single or multicolor body |
| Color range | White, black, clear or fiery body with flashes | Virtually every hue, pink for October |
| Heat and temperature | Can fracture with high heat or sudden changes | More stable, still avoid steam |
| Everyday ring fit | Best in protective settings, worn with care | Good for frequent wear |
| Easiest formats | Pendants, studs, huggies | Rings, bracelets, pendants, earrings |
| Relative price tier | Wide range; fine black opal sits at the top | Wide range; rare Paraíba sits at the top |
| Anniversary link (GIA) | 14th wedding anniversary | 8th wedding anniversary |
Tourmaline is the more practical October birthstone for rings, rated 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale against opal's 5 to 6.5 (GIA, 2026). Opal suits pendants and earrings, which take fewer knocks than a ring on the hand. Matching the stone to the jewelry type protects the piece and keeps the color looking fresh.
How to Care for Opal and Tourmaline
Clean both October birthstones with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth or brush. GIA calls warm, soapy water the safest method for opal and advises against ultrasonic and steam cleaners for tourmaline.
- Soak briefly in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap. Skip soaking for assembled opal doublets or triplets; wipe them with a damp cloth instead.
- Brush gently around the setting with a soft toothbrush.
- Rinse with lukewarm water, never hot, since opal can fracture with high heat or sudden temperature changes.
- Pat dry with a lint free cloth.
- Store each piece separately in a soft pouch so harder gems cannot scratch opal.
- Remove opal before the gym, cleaning with chemicals, or a hot sauna.
Fashion jewelry often uses created or simulated stones, so check each product page for stone and care details before cleaning.
How to Wear and Gift October Birthstone Jewelry
Wear opal where it stays protected, such as a pendant or a small huggie, and save pink tourmaline for pieces that take more contact. For an opal look, the Opal Blossom Necklace sets four round stones in a flower shape, and the Opal Cutie Huggies add a small marquise accent close to the lobe. New to the style? Read what huggie earrings are.
For October pink, the Pink Treasure Necklace pairs a soft pink beaded chain with a round charm. For a personal month pendant, compare the Faye Birthstone Necklace, Noa Birthstone Necklace and Kali Birthstone Necklace. Product details and month options can change, so confirm them on each page.
Gifting for an October birthday? Layer a birthstone pendant with a plain chain using the necklace layering guide, and pick the drop with the necklace length guide. October birthdays fall under Libra and Scorpio, so the zodiac collection makes an easy pairing.
Frequently Asked Questions About the October Birthstone
What is the true birthstone for October?
Opal and tourmaline are both true October birthstones. Opal is the traditional stone, named for October on the 1912 Kansas City list adopted by the National Association of Jewelers. Tourmaline appeared on that same list as the alternate, and pink tourmaline was added by the Jewelry Industry Council of America in 1952. Pick opal for the rainbow effect, or pink tourmaline for a harder, easier to wear stone.
Which is better, opal or tourmaline?
Tourmaline is better for daily wear, and opal is better for a one of a kind rainbow look. Tourmaline rates 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, while opal rates 5 to 6.5 and can fracture with high heat or sudden temperature changes (GIA). For a ring you plan to wear every day, choose tourmaline. For a pendant or earrings worn with some care, opal works beautifully.
What color represents October?
Pink represents October, thanks to pink tourmaline, the modern October birthstone added in 1952. Opal adds a multicolor element, since a single opal can flash blue, green, orange and red as the light moves. Many October birthstone pieces therefore lean pink, iridescent white or both. Tourmaline also comes in virtually every hue, so blue and green October options exist too.
What 2 months have three birthstones?
June and December are the months most often cited with three birthstones: June has pearl, moonstone and alexandrite, and December has turquoise, zircon and tanzanite. August also lists three stones since spinel joined peridot and sardonyx in 2016 (International Gem Society). October has two, opal and tourmaline, which gives October babies a simple choice between a rainbow stone and a pink one. See the full list in the birthstone chart by month.
Is opal bad luck?
No. Opal carries no real bad luck; the idea is a 19th century superstition often traced to Sir Walter Scott's 1829 novel Anne of Geierstein. Earlier cultures saw opal positively: ancient Greeks linked opal to prophecy and protection from disease, and Europeans treated opal as a symbol of purity, hope and truth (GIA). Opal remains an official October birthstone and the gem for a 14th wedding anniversary.
Can you wear an opal ring every day?
You can, but opal needs more care than most ring stones. Opal rates 5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale,, so daily knocks can scratch or chip the surface over time. Choose a protective bezel setting, take the ring off for workouts and chores, and keep it away from heat. Pendants and earrings are the lower risk opal formats for everyday styling.
Ready to celebrate an October birthday? Explore the EVRY gemstone necklaces, then add color to the stack with gemstone rings and gemstone earrings, or browse the birthday collection for gift ready pieces.
