October babies are extra lucky — you don’t just get one birthstone, you get two! Both opal and tourmaline are known for their dazzling colors and rich histories, making them a perfect pair to celebrate this autumn month.

🌈 Opal – Australia’s National Stone

Known as Australia’s National Stone, opal is the more famous of October’s gems, with 95% of the world’s supply mined there. The rest comes from Ethiopia (home to the stunning Welo opal), Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, Mexico (famed for fiery “fire opal”), and the United States.

The Science of Color

Opal’s magic lies in its play of colour — a rainbow-like effect caused by microscopic spheres of hydrated silica within the stone. When light enters, it bends and scatters, diffracting into flashes of yellow, blue, and green. Rare stones even reveal red, orange, or violet, making them especially valuable.

Not all opals display this rainbow effect, though. Peruvian pink opal and fire opal, for example, are admired for their rich, glowing body colors instead.

A Stone of Legend

According to Aboriginal legend, the Creator descended to Earth on a rainbow to bring peace to mankind. Where His feet touched the ground, stones began to sparkle with every colour of light — the birth of opal.

💎 Tourmaline – The Gem of Many Colors

Sharing the spotlight with opal is tourmaline, a gemstone celebrated for its incredible variety. Its name comes from the Singhalese word turamali, meaning “gem pebbles.” This is because tourmaline is often found in riverbeds as little gems, left behind when surrounding rock erodes away.

A Rainbow in a Single Gem

Tourmaline is sometimes called the “rainbow gemstone” because it can be found in nearly every colour imaginable. Here are some favourite varieties:

Schorl – Striking black, often linked to grounding and protection.
Rubellite – Bold pink to red shades, vibrant and eye-catching.
Indicolite – Rich blue tones, calming and elegant.
Paraíba Tourmaline – Rare electric blue-green stones from Brazil, highly sought after by collectors.
Watermelon Tourmaline – A playful mix of pink and green, resembling a juicy slice of watermelon.

With so many options, tourmaline offers something for every taste and personality.

✨ Double the Beauty

Opal brings the shifting colours of light itself, while tourmaline offers a full rainbow in endless shades. Together, they make October a month of extraordinary colour, meaning, and legend. Whether you prefer the mystical flashes of opal or the bold palette of tourmaline, October’s birthstones are a reminder that beauty comes in many forms.

✨ October Birthstones: Opal & Tourmaline