Those born in October are lucky enough to have two birthstones from which to choose. Opals, opaque and white, with an iridescent, rainbow-coloured shimmer, are the traditional October birthstone and their name, it’s thought, originated in India; in Sanskrit the stone was called upala, 'precious stone', which became opalus. Most opals are valued for their shifting colours – known as ‘play-of-colour’ – which led writers over the centuries to compare them to fireworks, galaxies and volcanoes. Our ancestors have variously prized opals for the gift of prophesy and protection from disease, as well as as a symbol of purity, hope and truth.
Tourmaline, the newer October birthstone, is just as striking. Its name comes from the Sinhalese word toramalli, which means 'stone with mixed colours’; it often has multiple colours in one crystal. Popular are pink and red rubellites, emerald green tourmalines, and bright green and blue-to-violet paraíba tourmalines. Tourmaline is said to be a receptive stone, calming, soothing and spiritual, and ancient mystics believed that this October birthstone could inspire artistic expression. Here’s our guide to the best opal and tourmaline birthstone jewellery for October.
If you just can’t choose between opals and tourmalines, this white and rose gold ring makes the decision oh so easy. It houses not only a striking black opal which hails from Australia, but also a square-cut tourmaline sourced from Mozambique; so too were the four fancy-cut multi-coloured tourmalines. Completing the glittering gemstone line-up are two pear-shaped diamonds, an oval-cut diamond, a cushion-cut diamond and brilliant-cut diamonds.
Les Ciels de Chaumet Passages Ring, POA, chaumet.com
Bucherer Fine Jewellery
