October Couldn't Pick Just One: Let's Talk Opals & Tourmalines

October babies, apparently one birthstone simply wasn't enough.

And considering the choices are opal and tourmaline, we're not complaining.

These are not quiet little gemstones that sit politely in the corner. Between opal's flashes of unexpected color and tourmaline showing up in practically every shade imaginable, October may have one of the most interesting birthstone lineups of the entire year.

And no—you absolutely do not need an October birthday to wear them.

We don't check birth certificates at the jewelry counter.

First Up: Opal

If you've ever moved an opal around in the light and suddenly caught a flash of pink, green, blue or orange that wasn't there a second ago, you already understand why people become obsessed with them.

Opals are different.

Unlike many gemstones whose beauty comes primarily from their body color and faceting, precious opal can display something called play-of-color—those shifting flashes of spectral color that seem to appear and disappear as the stone moves.

Basically, opal refuses to look exactly the same twice.

We respect that.

And Opals Aren't Just White

When someone says "opal," you may immediately picture the classic milky white stone filled with rainbow flashes.

That's only the beginning.

There's white opal, black opal, fire opal, boulder opal, crystal opal, water opal, and gorgeous varieties displaying blues, pinks and other colors.

Some are soft and dreamy.

Some look like somebody trapped a rainbow inside a rock.

And some look like they have absolutely no intention of being ignored.

Those are usually the ones Barb finds first.

What About Fire Opal?

Fire opal deserves its own moment because it can look completely different from the traditional opal you may have in your head.

Think glowing yellows, oranges and fiery reds.

And here's something people don't always realize: not every fire opal displays play-of-color. Its warm body color can be the star of the show all by itself.

So if you've always thought, "I'm just not an opal person," you may simply not have met your opal yet.

Then There's Tourmaline...

Tourmaline apparently looked at the color wheel and said:

I'll take all of it.

Pink. Green. Blue. Yellow. Red. Purple. Black.

And sometimes several colors appear inside the same crystal.

That's where things get especially fun.

Watermelon Tourmaline Is Exactly What It Sounds Like

One of the most recognizable varieties is watermelon tourmaline, which typically combines pink or reddish color with green—sometimes with a lighter zone separating them.

Slice one the right way and, yes, it can look remarkably like a tiny slice of watermelon.

Nature was feeling creative that day.

Tourmaline can also be bi-color or parti-color, meaning a single stone displays distinct zones of different colors.

No two have to look exactly alike.

You can probably see why this is very much our kind of gemstone.

So Why Are There So Many Colors?

Tourmaline isn't just one simple mineral. It's a group of closely related minerals with a complex chemistry, and variations in that chemistry help produce its remarkable range of colors.

Different trace elements and color-producing mechanisms can create dramatically different appearances.

Which is the scientific explanation.

The Local Luxe explanation is:

Tourmaline has options. Lots of them.

Opal vs. Tourmaline: Which October Birthstone Are You?

This is where we'd have some fun.

If you love jewelry that's dreamy, luminous, unusual and changes every time the light hits it...

You may be an Opal Girl.

If you're drawn to saturated color, interesting combinations and gemstones that can go from sophisticated to completely unexpected...

Tourmaline may be calling your name.

And if your answer is both?

Correct.

There are no rules saying you have to choose.

A Little Care Goes a Long Way

Opal deserves some extra TLC.

It's softer and more delicate than many popular gemstones, so this isn't the piece we'd toss into the bottom of a jewelry bag with seventeen other necklaces and hope for the best.

Avoid harsh chemicals, extreme heat and rough treatment, and store your opal pieces thoughtfully.

Tourmaline is generally more durable for everyday jewelry, but beautiful jewelry still deserves proper care. When in doubt, gentle cleaning and a soft cloth beat aggressive chemicals and mystery cleaning solutions from under the kitchen sink.

Please don't make Barb nervous.

How Do You Wear Them?

However you want.

Seriously.

An opal pendant with a white button-down can provide just enough color to make the whole outfit interesting. Opal earrings can bring light around your face without feeling overly formal.

A bold pink or green tourmaline ring?

Let it be the outfit.

Watermelon tourmaline with summer whites is gorgeous, but don't pack it away when summer ends. Those greens and pinks can be fantastic with black, denim, camel and deeper fall colors.

And if somebody tells you gemstones have to match your outfit perfectly, politely remind them that the jewelry police remain severely understaffed.

Shopping for Opal or Tourmaline?

Color is important, but don't stop there.

Look at the stone from different angles. Notice how it behaves in different light. Pay attention to the setting, craftsmanship, size and overall personality of the piece.

With opal especially, look for the colors that speak to you. One person may fall for brilliant reds and greens while someone else wants soft blues and pinks.

Tourmaline gives you even more freedom because the color possibilities are enormous.

But there's one highly scientific test we recommend for both:

Did you put it on and immediately say, "OOOOOH"?

Important data.

October Babies Got Lucky

Two birthstones.

An unbelievable range of colors.

And absolutely no requirement that you were actually born in October.

Whether you're drawn to the shifting rainbow of an opal, the saturated color of tourmaline, or something completely unexpected that Barb managed to uncover, October gives us an excellent excuse to talk about colorful gemstones.

As though we needed one.

Come see what Barb has found at Key West Local Luxe—or let us help you find the piece that makes you say OOOOOH.

We Make Women Happy.

And occasionally encourage gemstone-related decisions. We're comfortable with that.