October Birthstones: Opal and Tourmaline

Happy birthday month, October babies!
You are very lucky to have two birthstones to choose from–opal and tourmaline. Keep reading to learn about these gems.

OPAL:
        Opal is a colorful gemstone whose name comes from the Greek word for “opallios”, meaning, “to see a change in color”. Opals are characterized by their flecks of rainbow colors. This display of colors is known as play of color. The more colors that are visible and the more vibrant they are, the higher the quality!

        Some opals show every color, whereas some show mainly blues and greens. According to the Gemological Institute of America, red is considered highly desirable in opals. Opals themselves come different colors—the most common have a white background (or “body" color), as shown in the ring above, but there are opals that are blue, black, and even bright orange:
        Opals are not very hard stones, ranging just 5.5 – 6 on the Mohs hardness scale, whereas diamond, the hardest stone, is 10. This means that opals can crack from an impact with a hard surface, or when exposed to high temperatures. While they’re not recommended for engagement rings, opals are a beautiful choice for various types of fashion jewelry, from rings and earrings, to bracelets and pendants. Shop our collections in-store and online!

TOURMALINE:
        Tourmaline is the other birthstone for October. It's a beautiful gemstone that comes in all different colors—green, pink, blue, red, and yellow, among many other colors. Some believe that tourmaline has the power to give you strength, ward off evil energy, as well as inspire creativity. Next time you’re facing writer’s block or need an idea, try wearing some tourmaline jewelry!

Estate Green Tourmaline & Diamond Halo Ring

       Tourmaline is harder than opal, landing around 7 – 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. This makes it a great choice for different types of jewelry. Shop our collections of birthstone jewelry in-store and online. If you need gift ideas, give us a call or reach out to us on social media and we'll be glad to help!