This beautiful 14K white gold opal necklace and earrings set is a glorious way to celebrate an October birthday! Featuring lovely oval opals set in a sparkling halo of sapphires and diamonds, the earrings are priced to sell at $2,600 and the necklace is just $2,450!
Ah, glorious October–that most perfect of months where the weather is crisp, the trees are gorgeous, and the whole world seems to slow down and take a breath. October is also a pretty spectacular month to celebrate a birthday or an anniversary, as this month features two lovely stones as its birthstones: opals and tourmalines. While these two gemstones are completely different, they both are incredibly full of personality. Whether you are partial to the sparkling and often surprising flashes of light in the milky surface of opals, or the crisp clarity and range of colors that come with tourmalines is more your style, October’s birthstones offer something for everyone.
Opals–The Rainbow Stone
This beautiful opal and pearl ring was custom designed for a client–just look at the luminescent sparkle!
To many, opals are one of the most mesmerizing gemstones in the jewelry world. What makes opals so special is a phenomenon known as their play-of-color, which causes intense flashes of color to sparkle across the surface of the stone as it moves in the light. Every color of the rainbow is reflected in opals–reds, blues, greens, yellows, oranges, reds, and even purples dance across the stone as it is exposed to light. Opals are as unique as snowflakes; no two are exactly alike, which makes them a great choice for anyone who wants truly unique jewelry.
Opals come in a very interesting assortment of colors and types. White opal, with its white, milky background offers a soft and dreamy look, while black opal is known for its darker body color that can make its flashes of color look even more dramatic. Fire opal, which is often associated with warm shades of yellow, orange, and red has an entirely different aesthetic and is essentially the gemstone version of vibrant Fall leaves.
Some of the world’s most famous opals come from Australia, while Ethiopia is also an important location to source gorgeous opal gemstones. No matter where your opal is sourced from, the stone’s originality is what makes it so incredibly special. You can look at an opal in one moment and see flashes of blue and green, then move it slightly and suddenly see entirely different colors.
One caveat to opal jewelry is that it has to be cared for very delicately. Opals only rank a 5.5-6.5 on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness, which makes them a softer stone that is prone to scratches, cracks, and chips from everyday wear. Opal jewelry–especially rings–should always be removed before doing activities where they may be bumped or scratched, and they should be kept away from chemicals and household cleaners. To clean your opal jewelry, use a soft, damp cloth or gently clean it with mild soapy water and a soft brush, then dry it carefully. Make sure to avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners, and prolonged soaking! This can destroy your stone quickly. It’s always best to store opal jewelry separately from harder gemstones so they don’t get scratched.
Tourmalines–A Spectrum of Color
These vibrant green tourmaline earrings are accented with petite sparkling diamonds in a 14KY setting. Priced at just $3,150 these lovely drop earrings could be the perfect gift for an October birthday or anniversary!
If opals are known for bringing every color of the rainbow to life, tourmaline is famous for actually coming in every color of the rainbow. October’s second birthstone is one of the most beautiful and versatile gemstones available, with stunning shades that range from pink and red to green, blue, yellow, orange, purple, or even black. Pink tourmaline is a popular favorite, with colors ranging from soft blush pink to a rich magenta. Green tourmaline can be anything from a delicate mint green to a rich, deep forest green, while blue tourmalines come in every color of the spectrum. Paraiba tourmalines are incredibly sought-after due to their intense, neon blue and blue-green colors that seem to glow from within. One of the most fun varieties is watermelon tourmaline, which naturally displays green, white, and pink colors from within the same crystal. When cut in the right direction, the combination can look startlingly like a slice of watermelon! Tourmalines rank a 7-7.5 on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness, which can make them a more suitable choice for individuals looking for a more durable stone to celebrate an October birthday.
Which October Birthstone is Right for You?
This stunning opal pendant features an oval opal in an East-West setting, surrounded by a halo of sparkling diamonds, and all lovingly embraced by 14K yellow gold. Priced at just $2,400, this necklace won’t last long!
If you are lucky enough to celebrate an October birthday, choosing which of this beautiful month’s birthstones is right for you really comes down to personal style. If you are looking to add an incredibly unique piece of jewelry to your collection, with just a touch of mysteriousness, an opal might be the perfect choice for you. However, if you prefer vibrant, bold colors, a tourmaline might be exactly what you need. One of the biggest factors to consider when choosing a piece of jewelry you will wear regularly is the hardness of the stone. Tourmaline is generally a more durable choice than opals–which doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy opals, you simply need to be more mindful of their care. One of our favorite things about birthstone jewelry is that it doesn’t have to look like traditional birthstone jewelry. Your favorite October gemstone can become a treasured pendant, a pair of earrings, or even a stackable band that you can mix and match with your other favorite rings.
At Gilded Design Studio, we specialize in helping our customers turn their memories, visions, and special milestones into shining pieces of jewelry that will be treasured for generations. Whether you are celebrating an October birthday or anniversary, shopping for someone special, or you simply fell in love with these beautiful gemstones, we’d love to help you find the best way to make your October sparkle.