October Birthstones

October boasts not one but two birthstones. Both opal and tourmaline are very commonly worn gemstones that can be found in a wide array of jewelry pieces. Generally most jewelry stores and sources focus on opal as the October birthstone.
Opal
Opal comes from the term Opallos, according to the American Gem Society. This Greek word signifies “to see a change” referring to color of the stone. Opals are aptly named because one stone can showcase a wide range of colors including white, blue, green, red, blue and orange. Many of them truly look like a rainbow.
Opal looks differently based on how you are holding it under the light and may appear completely as a different stone because of it. It is a beautiful although extremely fragile stone. The stones with more fiery color and without cracks are more expensive and are prized for jewelry. They also make a created version for jewelry as well. This is much less expensive.
Opals come in many different types including Australian opal and fire opal. The base color can be different as well. Sometimes they put small chips of opal together to make a mosaic. When you go to stores, opal is usually the one you will see designated as the October birthstone. Because it can break so easily, it is important to be extremely careful when wearing opal jewelry. Try not to knock it into anything or it could chip.
Tourmaline
Many gem designers like to use tourmaline because it comes in many different colors. Many of these colors and combinations are not often seen in other types of gemstones. Sometimes you can even get the same color in one stone. These are considered bi-color or tri-color gems, depending on how many colors show up in the cut gem. These gems come in different combinations.
One combination that is highly prized is the watermelon tourmaline. It has portions that are in pink, white and green. When it is cut, the pink is in the middle, the white is around it, the edges are green. Tourmaline is mined from different places. Countries where it is found include Brazil, East Africa, the United States of America and Afghanistan.
The price of tourmaline ranges depending on the size, clarity and color.
Opal and tourmaline both look very attractive in jewelry and are commonly seen in a variety of pieces sold in jewelry stores and department stores. They vary in size, quality and price. Either makes a suitable gift for an October baby.