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The Ultimate Guide to the October Birthstone

Basic b***^es rejoice, pumpkin spice season is nigh. Sure, calendars insist that September marks the first day of fall but we all know that it’s October that ushers in the shorter and cozier autumnal days. Born in October? Lucky you. Not only do you have a built-in-birthday theme (hello, Halloween masquerade) you also are lucky enough to have not one but two October birthstones. But are either of those stones actually fit for daily wear? And, for holding association with arguably the creepiest month of the year, can you expect calls from beyond the veil when rocking them? Grab your psl’s and protective salt because we’re tricking and treating our way into the world of the October birthstone. Let’s begin.

What is The Birthstone for October?

Twice the treats here, no tricks needed – October is privy to two unique birthstones, opal and tourmaline. But why does October have two birthstones? Well, as with most of the problems facing society, it has roots with misogyny. Talk about actually spooky.

Essentially, opal was the original and only birthstone for the month of October. However, many (cough, cough, men) felt that it was too feminine and soft in both appearance and durability. So in 1952 tourmaline took its place aside opal as a birthstone of October.

One of our favorite ways of incorporating birthstones is burnish setting them right into the band. Adding a little je ne sais quois to the outside of your setting and a personal meaning on the inside.

An opal, the first October birthstone, is held between a pair of tweezers — It’s not that we don’t love opal, it’s just that there are better, more durable gemstones available for daily wear.

The Mystical Opal Gemstone

Let’s get nitty gritty. Opals are a hydrated form of silica. Like your favorite face cream, these babies have a high water content, usually between 6 and 10%. And just like your skin, opals can become easily dehydrated which leads to cracking. They’re also big softies, ranking a 5.5-6 on the Moh’s Scale, about the same as a glass window.

But for what opal lacks in durability, it more than makes up for in beauty. Iridescent and rainbow flashes of color play across its surface, the result of the interference of light through its chemical structure. Revered for centuries, ancient cultures believed the opal to contain lightening itself. They also felt that opal offered the gift of prophecy.

The Vibrant Tourmaline: The Second Birthstone For October

October’s second birthstone, tourmaline, is a little more durable, but sadly, not by much. A crystalline silicate that mixes boron with various elements like potassium, aluminium, iron, and more, tourmaline is notoriously brittle. A knock in the wrong direction could lead to chips or cracks, dashing your gemstone dreams on the hard, unforgiving surfaces of reality.

But hey, like the opal, tourmaline makes up for its lack of sturdiness with its magical array of colors. From the sultry depths of black to the Instagram-worthy pinks, electrifying blues, and envy-inducing greens, tourmaline lives life colorfully.

Surprisingly, there’s not much lore behind tourmaline. And this has everything to do with its colors. See, tourmaline comes in such a wide range of colors that its been mistaken for other gemstones for centuries. It wasn’t until modern mineralogy that tourmaline was distinguished.

A pink tourmaline, October's second birthstone, sits on a white surface — You think October babies would catch a break with their second birthstone. But unfortunately, you’ll have better luck looking at pink sapphires or diamonds.

Sorry But You Shouldn’t Be Incorporating Your October Birthstone In Your Engagement Ring

Look, we love opal and tourmaline. The hues, the color variations, the drop dead beauty of them! But at the end of the day, if you want an engagement ring that will stand the test of time you shouldn’t utilize either opal or tourmaline. They are both just too susceptible to damage. Broken hearted? Don’t be. You still have options.

Sub tourmaline and opal for a sturdier stone

As we mention above, tourmaline comes in a lot of colors. And also, cultures and people have been confusing tourmaline for other gems forever. So why not follow their lead and sub tourmaline for a sturdier gemstone in the color of your choice?

Sapphires score a 9 on the Moh’s scale and come in nearly every color. Topaz is another fantastic substitute dazzling in every shade from warm orange to cool blue.

A Toi et Moi engagement ring with a Marquise diamond and blue sapphire — Both sapphire and topaz offer as many colors as tourmaline. Plus, tourmaline is confused for them all the time. So it’s like, totally in line with history to rock either of these stones.

A kite set Asscher stone with black diamond pave details — Many believe that if a black tourmaline breaks it is because it was absorbing large amounts of negative energy, not that it’s classified as a brittle stone. Black diamonds, offer equal protection with no fear of shattering.

Play with gemstones that offer similar spiritual benefits as opal or tourmaline

Looking to reap the spiritual benefits of opal or tourmaline. There are substitutions! Like opals, rubies allow you to tap into your psychic sensibilities, heightening your awareness and helping you open that elusive third eye.

Black tourmaline, long understood as a protective stone, has many of the same spiritual characteristics as black diamonds. And as a bonus, your diamond sidestones won’t splinter under a little psychic pressure.

Draw inspiration from the themes of your October birthstone

Perhaps a stretch, but it’s worth it to consider what it actually is about your birthstone that you enjoy. Many times, you gain inspiration that influences your ring design and setting. Maybe the moonlike whirls of opal tickle your fancy. If that’s the case, consider celestial-like designs that are accentuated with diamond details that sparkle like the moon’s beams on the water.

A semi-bezel split shank Marquise engagement ring is framed by two chevron Marquise wedding bands — Want to invoke the stars? You can’t go wrong with a chevron wedding band that frames your gemstone and features graduated diamonds like stars across the night sky.

A bezel set white sapphire with burnish set round brilliant diamonds — Pairing a shimmering white sapphire with brilliant diamonds is a match made in heaven.

Play with opalescence not opals

Opal’s defining characteristic is its opalescent sheen and shimmer. So why not play with said opalescence? Opals don’t have a copyright over it, after all.

White sapphires offer a delicious milky appearance that mimics the sheen and brightness of opals. Another option, especially for those more inclined towards alternative looks, is a rough diamond. While not sparkly, rough diamonds conjure the essence of opals – and are sturdier to boot.

Still Want to Stay True to Your October Birthstone? Pivot to Your Zodiac Stone

If you’re still holding out hope that you can incorporate your October birthstone into your engagement ring consider your Zodiac stone instead. While yes, Libras are still S.O.L with opal there are other gemstones that both signs respond to as strongly if not moreso.

The Libra zodiac stones: Aquamarine, and sapphire

Charming, elegant, and ever the diplomat, Libra’s benefit from the harmonious play and all around good vibes of aquamarine and sapphire. Aquamarine, with its serene blue hues, mirrors the Libra’s need for balance and tranquility, nurturing their natural inclination towards peace and helping to soothe away any stresses that disturb their equilibrium. And sapphire, the stone of wisdom, aligns perfectly with Libra’s intellectual side.

A Toi et Moi ring allows you to get the best of both worlds. A shining diamond and a colorful gem.

An oval champagne diamond with blue topaz side stones — Pair your blue topaz with a champagne or cognac diamond for a chef’s kiss approved three stone engagement ring.

Scorpio’s zodiac stones: Topaz and citrine

Fierce, passionate, and teeming with transformative energy, Scorpios find powerful allies in the zodiac stones of topaz and citrine. Topaz, sparkling with a fire that rivals even the most intense of Scorpio’s gazes, serves as a talisman of strength and focus. It helps to amplify Scorpio’s already formidable willpower.

Meanwhile, citrine heralds abundance and positivity, its warm radiance echoing the transformational energy Scorpios are known for. This sun-kissed stone doesn’t just attract wealth and success; it invigorates Scorpio’s innate power.

Don’t Worry, We Can Help You Find Your October Birthstone Substitute

If there’s anything we know, it’s that when there’s a will, there’s a way. And if you love the look of opal or tourmaline for your engagement ring or other fine jewelry, we can help you get it. When it comes to alternative birthstone or zodiac stone engagement rings, you really can’t go wrong. Ready to pay tribute to your birth month in style? Try our style quiz and get a free sketch to kick off your custom engagement ring process. Or send us a note at hello@frankdarling.com to work directly with our gem experts on finding the perfect gemstone just for you.