The month of October ushers in not only sweater weather and pumpkin-spice everything, but also two new birthstones: opal and tourmaline.
Each October birthstone is one-of-a-kind—and not just on the surface. Healing crystals are thought to be imbued with energetic powers that people can access regardless of whether they were born in the month of October.
Properties of opal, the October birthstone of transformation
- Birthstone color: Iridescent
- Element: Water
- Planet: Venus
- Chakra: All chakras
- Origin: Varied
Opal is made of silica and comes in two varieties: common and precious opals, with the latter being associated with the month of October. Precious opals have a prismatic quality that distinguishes them not only from their counterparts, but also from all other gemstones. Its inherent microstructure, which is made up of tiny and tightly packed silica spheres, allows the stone to diffract white light into a kaleidoscope of colors that change as the opal or the viewer moves.
This prism-like effect is also what makes precious opal so valuable among jewelers, and while it can be found in countries such as Brazil, Honduras, Mexico, and the United States, the majority of precious opals come from Australia.
Birthstone meaning and symbolism of opal
Opal is a joyful stone, but it is also a “emotional amplifier.” Whether you’re happy, angry, or sad, opal can amplify your current emotional state while also illuminating the emotional energies lurking beneath the surface. This makes opal ideal for shadow work, she says, because the stone can help you identify your shadows, which is an important step in the healing process.
Furthermore, it has the ability to transform negative energies and emotions into positive ones. It heals the owner by raising vibrations to achieve higher bliss. Not only that, but she claims it can also bring harmony and balance to its owner. Precious opal, like clear quartz, connects to all seven chakras, pulling everything into alignment while simultaneously pulling out what needs to go, such as negative energy and emotions.
Properties of tourmaline, the October birthstone of compassion and tolerance
- Birthstone color: Pink
- Element: Water
- Planet: Venus
- Chakra: Heart chakra
- Origin: Varied
Tourmaline is a semiprecious stone that is available in a variety of colors. Some of these stones are capable of changing color, appearing green in fluorescent light and red in incandescent light. While each type of tourmaline is unique in its own way, pink tourmaline is traditionally associated with the month of October. It is primarily found in Brazil, but it is also found in Madagascar, Russia, the United States, Africa, and Sri Lanka.
Birthstone meaning and symbolism of tourmaline
Tourmaline, in general, represents joy, generosity, and creativity. Tourmaline is also a stone of reconciliation, providing compassion and the ability to remain calm in difficult situations. Pink tourmaline shares some of these characteristics, but it can also wrap you in a loving energy and provide protection and freedom from worry and negativity. Pink tourmaline can be thought of as a force field powered by love.
When you wear a pink tourmaline, I imagine you’re surrounded by a bubble of pink, sparkly light. To provide you with that protection, it can repair cracks, tears, and holes in your aura. Pink tourmaline, like tourmaline in general, can help users cultivate more compassion and keep a cool head by directing their energy towards kindness and tolerance while preventing impulsive reactions.
Pink tourmaline corresponds to the heart chakra because it contains a loving energy at its core. It can help you become more open to receiving and giving love, as well as heal emotional wounds and old issues that can weigh heavily on your heart.
With these considerations, it is clear that opal and pink tourmaline have distinct properties, but both can be beneficial to anyone seeking to harness their energetic powers. They can be excellent stones for Libras and Scorpios born in October, and opal and tourmaline can even support these signs synergistically.
Consider the sign of Libra. Although Libras have many strengths, including a passion for making others happy, one of their significant weaknesses is avoiding conflict, which causes them to feel burned out. However, the ability of opal to bring harmony, combined with the reconciliation qualities of tourmaline, can help Libras face conflict in a healthy way by allowing them to remain calm when having difficult conversations and resolving problems.
Another trait of Libra that the October birthstones can help balance is indecisiveness. Libras are often indecisive, so the clarity and guidance of opal, combined with the wisdom of tourmaline, can help them stay grounded and make decisions under pressure.
Scorpios, on the other hand, can temper the zodiac sign’s vindictive side. Scorpios are known for their steadfast loyalty, but their weakness lies in their powerful personality, which can lead to vengeance. Because opal is excellent for providing balance, it can assist Scorpios in stabilizing their emotions and dealing with them fairly rather than being resentful, whereas tourmaline can assist them in finding compassion in times of conflict and preventing them from resorting to extreme measures.
Scorpios are also stubborn, and when wronged, they can cling to feelings of anger or resentment. Opal and tourmaline can assist in overcoming these emotions. The harmonic qualities of opal and the ability of tourmaline to aid reconciliation can assist Scorpios in finding forgiveness and making amends with loved ones.
What exactly are birthstones?
Birthstones are gemstones that represent the month and sign of a person’s birth. Their origins are thought to date back to biblical times, and the first-century historian Flavius Josephus associated the 12 gemstones on Aaron’s breastplate in the Book of Exodus with the 12 zodiac signs. However, the practice of wearing a different gem each month did not begin until the 15th or 16th century in Germany or Poland. Birthstones have also been discovered to have their origins in Eastern culture. A fifth-century Hindu text, the Ratna Pariksha, linked specific gems to deities, celestial bodies, and days of the week, while Vedic astrologers recommend specific gems to individuals based on their astrological birth chart.
The American Council Association of Jewelers (now known as the Jewelers of America) established a standardized list of birthstones in the United States in 1912. The Jewelry Industry Council of America, and later The American Gem Trade Association, updated this list to include new types of birthstones for specific months of the year.
A list of the birthstones for each month of the year
Do you want to choose a crystal that corresponds to the month of your birth? Here’s a rundown of the birthstones for each month of the year:
- January Birthstone: Garnet
- February Birthstone: Amethyst
- March Birthstone: Aquamarine and Bloodstone
- April Birthstone: Diamond
- May Birthstone: Emerald
- June Birthstone: Pearl, Alexandrite, and Moonstone
- July Birthstone: Ruby
- August Birthstone: Peridot, Spinel, and Sardonyx
- September Birthstone: Sapphire
- October Birthstone: Opal and Tourmaline
- November Birthstone: Topaz and Citrine
- December Birthstone: Tanzanite, Turquoise, and Zircon
Frequently asked questions about the October birthstones
Why does October have two birthstones?
While opal is the original birthstone for October, tourmaline became the second birthstone in later years, allowing people to choose a birthstone that matches their preferences.
What is the birthstone for Libra?
Peridot is the birthstone most commonly associated with Libras born in September, while opal and tourmaline are associated with Libras born in October.
What is the birthstone for Scorpio?
Scorpios born in October are typically associated with the month’s birthstones, which are opal and tourmaline, whereas those born in November are associated with topaz and citrine.
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