In 1829, a single novel nearly ruined a gemstone. Sir Walter Scott’s Anne of Geierstein featured an enchanted opal that lost its colour when touched by holy water, and readers took the hint. Opal became “unlucky” almost overnight, and opal sales in Europe reportedly halved in the years that followed. Today, that same stone is one of two gems that belong to anyone born in October.
The October birthstone is opal, with tourmaline as its official second stone. Opal is known for play-of-colour, the shifting flashes of red, green and blue that move across its surface as you turn it. Tourmaline comes in almost every colour imaginable, and pink tourmaline is the shade most often linked to October. Opal is softer and better suited to pendants and earrings; tourmaline is harder and handles everyday rings well.
That is the short answer. The longer one, and the one that actually helps you choose a piece you will love wearing for twenty years, comes down to how each stone behaves, what it costs, and who it is for. That is what this guide covers.
Why Choosing an October Birthstone Is Harder Than It Looks
Most birth months have one stone and one obvious colour. April is diamond. May is green. October hands you two very different gems, and they barely resemble each other.
One is a milky or dark stone with fireworks inside it. The other is a clear, faceted gem that can be pink, green, blue, red or several of those at once. Someone shopping for a partner’s October birthday often walks into a jewellery shop expecting a single answer and walks out more confused than when they arrived.
The problems most buyers run into
- Choosing on looks alone. Opal’s colour play is hypnotic in a shop window. But opal sits at 5 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, and household dust contains quartz at around 7. An opal ring worn every day will slowly lose its polish, and a hard knock can crack it.
- Not knowing what you are actually buying. Some opal jewellery uses doublets or triplets: a thin slice of opal glued to a dark backing, sometimes capped with clear quartz. They are legitimate and cheaper, but they should never be soaked, and they should be priced as what they are.
- Guessing the right colour. “Tourmaline” covers dozens of shades. Ask for a tourmaline ring without more detail and you might be shown anything from mint green to near-black.
- Buying on holiday without trust. Bali has no shortage of gemstone sellers. Telling the difference between a trusted boutique and a stall selling glass with a story attached is not easy when you are only in town for ten days.
What a wrong choice actually costs
Picture this. A husband buys his wife an opal ring for her birthday. She loves it and wears it daily: to the gym, while washing up, on the beach. Within a year the surface looks dull and there is a fine crack near the setting. Nothing was wrong with the stone. It was simply the wrong stone for how she lives.
The gift that was meant to last a lifetime ends up in a drawer. That is the real risk with October birthstone jewellery, and it is entirely avoidable once you understand the two stones.
Opal: The Classic October Birthstone
Opal is the stone most people mean when they say “October birthstone,” and it earns that place by being unlike anything else in a jewellery case. No two opals look the same.
Where opal’s colour comes from
Opal is hydrated silica, and it can hold up to 20% water inside its structure. Precious opal is built from microscopic spheres of silica stacked in neat rows, a bit like ping-pong balls packed in a box. When light passes through those rows, it splits into colours. Move the stone and the colours move with it.
That effect is called play-of-colour, and it is what you are paying for. Red flashes are the rarest and most prized, because they need the largest, most evenly stacked spheres to form.
The main types of opal
- White opal: a light, milky body with soft pastel flashes. The most familiar and usually the most affordable.
- Black opal: a dark body that makes the colours look almost electric. Australia’s Lightning Ridge is the best-known source, and top stones are among the most valuable gems per carat.
- Boulder opal: opal that formed in seams of ironstone, often cut with some of the brown host rock left on the back.
- Fire opal: warm orange to red, usually transparent, sometimes with little or no play-of-colour. Mexico is the classic source.
- Crystal opal: a clear or semi-clear body where the colour seems to float inside the stone.
Australia has been the world’s main source since commercial mining began there in the 1890s, and Ethiopia has become a major supplier since the 2000s. Indonesia has its own opal tradition too: kalimaya, mined in Banten on Java, often shows bright flashes against a dark or glassy body.
What opal means
The Romans considered opal the most precious of all gems because it seemed to hold every other stone’s colour at once. Bedouin legend said opals fell from the sky in flashes of lightning. Today opal is associated with creativity, hope and self-expression, and it is the traditional gift for a 14th wedding anniversary.
What drives opal value
When comparing opal jewellery, look at four things in this order:
- Brightness. How vivid are the flashes in ordinary light, not just under a spotlight?
- Pattern. Broad flashes that cover the whole surface are worth more than scattered pinpoints.
- Colour range. Stones that show red alongside green and blue sit at the top of the market.
- Body tone. A darker body generally makes colour stand out more and pushes the price up.
Always ask whether a stone is solid opal, a doublet or a triplet, and whether it has been treated. A reputable jeweller will tell you without hesitation.
Who opal suits best
Opal is ideal for earrings, pendants and occasion rings, the kind of piece you put on for a dinner rather than wear while gardening. It also suits someone who wants their jewellery to feel personal, since no one else will own a stone that looks like theirs.
Tourmaline and Pink Tourmaline: October’s Second Birthstone
If opal is the dreamer, tourmaline is the one you can rely on. It is harder, more forgiving, and it comes in more colours than almost any other gem family.
The name comes from the Sinhalese word toramalli, often translated as “mixed stones.” Sri Lankan gem traders used it for parcels of colourful stones they could not easily identify, and many tourmalines were sold as other gems for centuries.
A gem with a strange party trick
Tourmaline becomes electrically charged when heated or rubbed. Dutch traders in the 1700s noticed that a warm tourmaline would attract light ash, and reportedly used it to clean out their pipes. It is a small detail, but it says a lot about how unusual this stone is.
Tourmaline colours worth knowing
- Pink tourmaline: soft blush to deep rose, and the shade most closely tied to October. China’s Empress Dowager Cixi was so fond of it that she bought large quantities from California’s mines in the early 1900s.
- Rubellite: intense pink to red, the most sought-after of the warm shades.
- Indicolite: blue tourmaline, rarer than most people expect.
- Verdelite: green tourmaline, from leafy to deep forest green.
- Watermelon tourmaline: pink at the centre with a green rim, often cut in slices to show both colours at once.
- Paraíba tourmaline: a neon blue-green coloured by copper, first found in Brazil in the late 1980s and now one of the most expensive coloured gems in the world.
What tourmaline means
Tourmaline is associated with creativity, compassion and calm. Pink tourmaline in particular is linked to love and emotional warmth, which is part of why it works so well as a gift. It is also the traditional stone for an 8th wedding anniversary.
What drives tourmaline value
Colour comes first. Vivid, saturated pinks, reds, blues and blue-greens command the highest prices, while pale or brownish stones cost far less. After colour, look at clarity: green and blue tourmalines are often quite clean, while pink and red stones commonly show small inclusions, and that is considered normal.
Who tourmaline suits best
At 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, tourmaline is tough enough for a ring you wear most days. It suits someone with an active life, someone who loves colour, or anyone who wants an October birthstone ring rather than a pendant they save for evenings.
Opal vs Tourmaline: Which October Birthstone Should You Choose?
Both are genuine October birthstones, so there is no wrong answer. The right one depends on how the piece will be worn and what the person loves to look at.
| Opal | Tourmaline | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Play-of-colour; flashes shift as it moves | Clear, faceted, one colour or several |
| Typical colours | White, black, crystal, orange fire | Pink, red, green, blue, watermelon |
| Mohs hardness | 5 – 6.5 | 7 – 7.5 |
| Best pieces | Pendants, earrings, occasion rings | Everyday rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets |
| Daily-wear ring? | Only with a protective setting and care | Yes |
| Anniversary | 14th | 8th |
| Care level | Gentle; avoid heat, chemicals and knocks | Low; warm soapy water is fine |
A simple way to decide
- Choose opal if she or he loves things that feel one-of-a-kind, wears jewellery mostly in the evening, or would treasure a pendant or pair of earrings.
- Choose tourmaline if the piece is a ring for daily wear, if the person loves a particular colour, or if you want pink tourmaline’s warmth as a romantic gesture.
- Choose both if you cannot decide. Opal and pink tourmaline sit beautifully together, and a pair of studs in one stone with a pendant in the other covers every occasion.
Can an October birthstone be an engagement ring?
Yes, with the right stone. Tourmaline is hard enough for an engagement ring, especially in a setting that protects its edges. Opal engagement rings exist and can be stunning, but they need a protective bezel or halo and a wearer who is happy to take them off for sport, cleaning and swimming.
If durability is the priority but colour still matters, it is worth also looking at sapphire, which comes in pink and many other shades and sits at 9 on the Mohs scale. A good jeweller will show you both and let you see the difference in person.
How to Care for Opal and Tourmaline in a Tropical Climate
Bali is wonderful for a holiday and tough on jewellery. Sun, salt water, sunscreen and the jump from a hot street into a cold, air-conditioned room all take a toll, and opal feels it more than most stones.
Caring for opal
- Clean it only with warm, mild soapy water and a soft cloth. Never use an ultrasonic or steam cleaner.
- Avoid sudden temperature changes. Rapid heat or cold can cause fine surface cracks called crazing. Do not leave opal on a sunny windowsill or in a hot car.
- Take it off for the beach and the pool. Chlorine, salt and sunscreen are not friends of a soft stone or its setting.
- Never soak doublets or triplets. Water can loosen the glue that holds the layers together.
- Store it separately in a soft pouch, so harder gems cannot scratch it.
Caring for tourmaline
Tourmaline is far easier. Warm soapy water and a soft brush keep it bright. Avoid extreme heat, which can change some tourmalines’ colour, and store it away from diamonds and sapphires, which are hard enough to scratch it.
For more on keeping fine pieces at their best in heat and humidity, read our guide to caring for fine jewellery in Bali’s tropical climate.
Choosing October Birthstone Jewellery in Bali at Jemme
The best way to choose between opal and tourmaline is to hold them both. Photos flatten opal’s colour play, and tourmaline’s pinks shift noticeably between daylight and indoor light. Seeing them side by side, on your own hand, settles the question in minutes.
Why shop for coloured gemstones at Jemme
Jemme Jewellery has been part of Seminyak since 2007, when London designer Luke Stockley opened the boutique on Jalan Petitenget. Nearly two decades is a long time in Bali’s retail scene, and that longevity matters when you are buying something meant to last.
Jemme also holds the largest collection of coloured gemstones in Indonesia. That depth is what makes a birthstone search easier: rather than settling for whatever single piece is in the window, you can compare stones, shades and settings until one feels right. Alongside October’s stones, the collection spans sapphires, rubies, peridot, morganite and more, as well as diamond jewellery and an engagement ring collection.
What to ask when you visit
Bring these questions, and you will leave knowing exactly what you bought:
- Is this opal solid, a doublet or a triplet?
- Has the stone been treated in any way?
- Which setting will best protect it for how this person lives?
- What metal is it set in, and how should I care for it at home?
The team will happily walk you through each piece, and since the boutique is open from 10am to 10pm, you can come by after a day at the beach without rushing.
Turn the gift into a celebration
Here is the part no other jeweller in Bali can offer. Jemme Restaurant sits under the same roof, so the moment can continue straight after the ring box closes. Book a table for a birthday dinner in a fully air-conditioned dining room, with Western and Indonesian dishes on the menu and the famous Sunday Roast served every day of the week. If October’s birthday falls on a Friday, Rijsttafel Night runs from 7pm with a rotating regional Indonesian feast and live Keroncong music.
It is a simple idea: choose the stone, then raise a glass to the person it was chosen for, all at one address.
Frequently Asked Questions About the October Birthstone
What is the October birthstone?
October has two birthstones: opal and tourmaline. Opal is the traditional choice, known for its shifting play-of-colour. Tourmaline, especially pink tourmaline, is the modern alternative and is harder and better suited to everyday wear.
What colour is the October birthstone?
There is no single colour. Opal shows flashes of many colours against a white, dark or clear body. Tourmaline comes in pink, red, green, blue and multi-coloured forms, with pink most closely associated with October.
Is opal bad luck?
No. The superstition largely traces back to Sir Walter Scott’s 1829 novel Anne of Geierstein, in which an enchanted opal plays a tragic role. Before that, the Romans considered opal one of the most precious and fortunate gems of all.
Can you wear an opal ring every day?
You can, but it needs care. Opal is relatively soft at 5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, so choose a protective setting and take it off for sport, swimming, cleaning and the gym. For a ring worn constantly, tourmaline is the more practical October birthstone.
Is pink tourmaline expensive?
Prices range widely. Pale pink tourmaline is relatively affordable, while vivid, saturated rubellite costs considerably more. Paraíba tourmaline, a neon blue-green variety, is one of the most expensive coloured gems on the market.
How can I tell if an opal is real?
Natural opal’s colour patterns look irregular and three-dimensional, while many synthetics show a repeating, “lizard skin” pattern. Check the side of the stone too: a visible dark line can mean it is a doublet or triplet. The surest route is to buy from an established jeweller who discloses what each stone is.
Where can I buy October birthstone jewellery in Bali?
Jemme Jewellery at Jl. Petitenget 28, Seminyak, holds the largest collection of coloured gemstones in Indonesia and is open daily from 10am to 10pm. You can browse in person or message the team on WhatsApp at +62 813 5378 7156 before your visit.
What are good October birthday gifts besides jewellery?
A memorable meal goes a long way. At Jemme, the restaurant shares the same address as the jewellery boutique, so you can pair a gift with a birthday dinner in a calm, air-conditioned setting in the heart of Seminyak.
Find Your October Birthstone in Seminyak
A stone once branded unlucky by a novel is now one of the most personal gifts you can give, and its partner, tourmaline, offers a colour for almost every personality. That is the quiet magic of the October birthstone: two very different gems, both meant to celebrate the same person.
Opal brings the fireworks. Tourmaline brings colour you can wear every day. Choosing well simply means matching the stone to the life it will be part of, and seeing both in person before you decide.
Imagine it: an afternoon in the cool of the boutique, comparing the flash of an opal with the soft glow of pink tourmaline, then walking through to dinner to toast the person it is for. That is a birthday they will remember long after October ends.
Ready to choose? Visit Jemme Jewellery at Jl. Petitenget 28, Seminyak, open daily 10am to 10pm, or message the team on WhatsApp to ask what October stones are in the collection now. Then book your celebration dinner at Jemme Restaurant, or browse the full jewellery collection online first.