The birthstone for October is either a Tourmaline or an Opal

Did you know Tourmalines come in nearly every colour?

Can you believe it is October already!? A new month presents a new opportunity to share insights into the history and meaning of all the gorgeous gemstones. The name “tourmaline” comes from the Sinhalese words tura mali, which mean “stone of mixed colors.” Starting with Tourmalines that come in an array of beautiful and vibrant colours. From the deepest of blues and greens to the lightest of pinks and yellow, this stone comes in nearly every colour. A certain species of tourmaline, called schorl, can even come in black or dark brown. It’s thanks to this amazing colouration that this stone has earned the title of the ‘Rainbow Gemstone’. This gemstone happens to be one of my favourites for this very reason.

What is so unique about a Tournamline? 

One of the reasons are that a Tourmaline  is  pleochroic,  which  means  you  can  see  different  colours  when  viewed  from  different  angles. In addition, you also get Bi-coloured Tourmalines as the crystals may be green on one end and pink on the other. 

The second reason is because a Tournamline can be as clear as a diamond! The only thing better than a wide variety of stunning colours is a colourful stone that allows light to pass through, creating a majestic effect that will leave onlookers in awe. 

Opal, the alternative birthstone for the month of October 

Along with tourmalines, Opal is the birthstone for the month of October too. It is also the stone given to celebrate the 14th year of marriage. The name Opal is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit upala, meaning “precious stone,” and later the Greek derivative “Opallios,” meaning “to see a change of colour.”

How did the Opal stone form?

Opal formed millions of years ago when heavy rains soaked the sun-baked ground in the arid desert, and rainwater carried a dissolved mineral called silica into cracks inside rocks. When the water dried, the silica deposits were left, and these layers formed Opal.

Do Opals come in many colours?

Yes, they do and each Opal reflects light differently therefore no two Opals are exactly the same colour. However, you get mainly 3 colour types. 

1. White Opal is the most popular type in jewellery because it’s pearly white colour is easy to wear and combine with any outfit. It can be milky, translucent or opaque, and it shows a stunning, pastel-shaded play of colour when you move it in the light.
2. Fire Opal on the other hand comes in translucent orange, yellow or red hues. It is sometimes called Mexican Opal.
3. Black Opal is the rarest type of Opal. Its background is very dark and because of this its play of colour really stands out. However, its price can be prohibitive and its dark colour is hard to wear; that’s why it is usually reserved for big, expensive statement jewellery pieces.

There are many more interesting facts about these 2 gemstones, which we will be sharing throughout the month on our social media platforms. Stay tuned for this month’s content and follow us on Instagram or Facebook. 

We have both of these gorgeous birthstones available for you to view in our store. We would love for you to come visit and see our collections. 

Stay Beautiful,

Jackie Hahn & Penchant Design Team