October Birthstone: Opal & Tourmaline

The lucky ladies and gents who were born in the month of October can choose between two different types of stones for their birth month. The stones that characterise births in October are opal and tourmaline. These two stones are equally beautiful and elegant in their shades and one doesn’t outdo the other in worth. Both are forms of very old stones and can be traced back hundreds of years into the past. With opal’s beautiful and unique designs, and tourmaline’s gorgeous crystal web, you can wear these stunning stones throughout the year.

The word ‘opal’ comes from the Greek word ‘opallos’ which means ‘to see a change’. This captures the essence of opals perfectly. No opal is the same as another and its design is completely unique to the stone in which it is captured. They range in colour from milky white, to blue-green all the way through to red and yellow. In ancient times the October Birthstone was given the name ‘Queen of Gems’ because of the way it contained all the other colours of different gems. It even has a ‘magical’ way of changing colour as the light catches it on specific spots.

Tourmaline complements the opal in the month of October because its name also suggests a mixed stone. It comes in a rainbow of colours such as cranberry, magenta, pink, orange, yellow, forest green, ocean blue, and many more. As with opals, the tourmaline stone has been known to display more than one colour at a time in its stone structure. The stones that exhibit multiple colours are usually more valuable than the ones that only display one at a time. October is the one of the most vibrant months out of the year; with all the colour variations found in these two exquisite stones.

Opal Meaning

Arabic legend attests that opals fell from the sky during lightning storms, while Australian aborigines thought the creator visited the earth in a rainbow and imparted opals as a colourful gift.

Nearly 100 B.C., a Roman scholar by the name of Pliny compared opal gemstones to volcanoes and colourful artwork, realising that opals have the ability to reflect the hues of any gem. Because of these colourful reflective qualities, during the Middle Ages, it was thought that opals harnessed immense power and luck.

Throughout time, opals have been regarded as a gem full of good luck and fortune, especially for those with October birth months.

Choosing your Opal Jewellery

When it comes to purchasing opals, you will find that no two are exactly the same in colour, pattern, or other defining features/characteristics. They are all unique/individual and because of this make a very thoughtful and unique gift.

For black opals, you may find more of a floral pattern where the colours will multiply through the surface of the gemstone more erratically. Black opals, are by far, one of the rarest opals you can find, and they also boast some of the most intricate and unique patterns.

When determining the value of a diamond, it is a pretty straightforward process. You check the colour, clarity, and faults and you can get to an average value of the stone. With opal, however, the luminosity of the stone is what you will find to be the most important aspect to consider before purchasing opal birthstone jewellery. The more colour that the stone contains, the more valuable the stone may end up being. The pattern is also another determinant of its value.

Opal Colour

Opals have a primary colour of either white or black, and many people find both appealing. The opal’s most defining quality is its kaleidoscope character that radiates all the colours of the rainbow. Microscopic silica, a crucial component to opal composition, diffracts light in a way that displays this colourful spectrum. Opals that contain microscopic silica are referred to as ‘precious opals,’ and are usually found in Australia. Opals that don’t maintain this particular characteristic are considered ‘common opals.’

Along with the silica elements, opals are generally comprised of 6% to 10% water. As such, their Mohs scale rating is 5.5 to 6, making them less durable than other stones like rubies and diamonds. However, with extra care, such as avoiding extreme temperatures or direct sunlight, opals are exquisite gems that can be worn somewhat regularly or for special events.

Caring for your Opal

Opal, like many other gemstones, will last a long time if it is properly cared for and maintained. To prevent any scratches or other damage to the opal, you will want to handle the stone with care and never keep it around any oils or other chemicals.

Opals also contain water (sometimes almost as much as twenty percent), and because of this, they should never be kept in small and confined spaces such as a vault at the bank for long amounts of time because most vaults employ dehumidifiers, and this can seriously damage the opal.

You will find that if an opal begins to get too dry, it will start to crack. This cracking is also referred to as crazing and will seriously deteriorate the value of the stone.  One tip to keep the opal hydrated is to immerse it into water for a couple of hours at a time every once in a while.

Tourmaline Meaning

Tourmaline is a colourful alternative birthstone for those born in October, due to its complex composition of a multitude of minerals. Trace amounts of certain elements dictate the colour of a tourmaline stone—and the selection is quite vast.

In ancient Egypt, it was believed that tourmaline passed through a rainbow as it emerged through the earth to the surface. The Sinhalese, or Sri Lankan, words “tura mali” are the root of the gemstone’s name, literally meaning the “stone of mixed colours.”

Though tourmaline left traces throughout history, the earliest records confirm that tourmaline was discovered in the 16th century in Brazil, though this wasn’t confirmed until the 19th century. Tourmaline deposits can now be found worldwide in countries like Australia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Tanzania, Pakistan and the United States.

Over the centuries, tourmaline has been regarded as a symbol of power, protecting against toxins, pollutants and negative thoughts and emotions. It rates a 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it a durable gem, fit for everyday wear.

Choosing your Tourmaline Jewellery

A tourmaline’s most common method of treatment or enhancement is via heat. The heat will allow the colour of the stone to shine through brilliantly and will be a lot more vivid and have a much deeper hue than if it were left untreated.

When the stone is heated, the overall value and durability of the stone are not hindered in any way. It is simply to enhance the colours already present within the stone.

The most preferred cut for a tourmaline stone would be a rectangular cut because it is a longer cut and captures more of the stone’s brilliance and beauty. However, for better colour depth, you may want to examine the angle of the cuts as well.

Tourmaline is also a stone known widely for its small inclusions, otherwise known as imperfections. When you are looking for characteristics that negatively affect the price, however, you will not be looking to the inclusions. Rather, you will look closely at the tourmaline gemstone’s hue. If you find that it encompasses a white hue, then you will know immediately that the price will be greatly reduced.

The clearer a tourmaline gemstone is, the higher the value of the stone. The most crucial element to consider when purchasing tourmaline is the colour because each colour will carry its own price tag and this factor can hinder your budget.

Red tourmaline is a popular choice, and if you are looking for a sophisticated alternative to emeralds, the green tourmaline is perfect. The most expensive tourmaline you can find will be the Brazilian Paraiba Tourmaline because it is clear with a neon blue or green colour. The rarer the colour of the stone, the higher that price tag will climb.

Caring of your Tourmaline

Using warm water and a very mild soap or detergent, soak your tourmaline jewellery for a few seconds and then use a very soft-bristled brush such as a child’s toothbrush or jewellery cleaning brush to buff the jewellery. When brushing any gems, try to work in soft, circular motions to make sure the shine is as bright as possible.

Remember, keeping your tourmaline jewellery from being exposed to hot water is important. Because of this, it is highly recommended that you remove any tourmaline jewellery before taking a shower because this can cause them to lose their bold colour. Storing your jewellery in your bathroom is not recommended either because the warm steam caused by hot showers can also affect your tourmaline gemstones if they are left out.

Generally, tourmaline is stable to light. But tourmaline jewellery should not be stored in direct sunlight. Long-term ultraviolet radiation can affect the properties of tourmaline and result in colour loss and fading. Tourmaline jewellery can also become damaged due to extreme heat over a period of time. High Heat can alter the colour of tourmaline jewellery, worse still, sudden high temperature can cause fracturing.

At Lumbers we offer a variety of rings featuring Opal and Tourmaline. Looking for something a bit more specific? We can source quality stones and even create bespoke jewellery to make your purchase even more special… Don’t forget we have an onsite workshop and valuer making us the perfect store for all of your needs.