October birthstones: opal and tourmaline
October has two birthstones: opal and tourmaline.
How to read it
Opal is known for play-of-color, flashes of colour that move as the stone is turned, though not every opal shows it. Tourmaline comes in more colours than almost any other gem, often several in one crystal.
Also searched as: birthstone for October, opal birthstone, tourmaline birthstone.
When tourmaline became an October birthstone
The sources differ. The 1912 list, as George Kunz printed it, already names tourmaline as October's alternate stone; Jewelers of America's account, as National Jeweler reported it in 2016, lists tourmaline among the 1952 additions.
Where this symbol came from
oldsymbols.comOctober birth flowers: marigold and cosmosOctober’s birth flowers are the marigold and the cosmos. In the Victorian flower dictionaries the marigold meant grief; the cosmos has no entry in them, and its meanings come from modern lists.Find a birthstone by date
stringmash.comBirthstones by monthThe birthstone for any month or birth date, in the current US list, the UK list and the older tradition.Read next
- Next in BirthstonesNovember birthstones: topaz and citrineNovember has two birthstones: topaz and citrine.
- The same shape in African flagsFlag of the African UnionThe African Union’s flag shows a map of Africa on a green field, surrounded by rays of light and a ring of stars. The African Union says the stars, 55 of them, represent its 55 member states; the Assembly’s 2007 decision asked for a green background to symbolise Africa’s hope.
More birthstones
The same shape elsewhere
Browse symbols drawn with circles or squares and rectangles.
Sources
- October Birthstones: Opal and Tourmaline (GIA), Gemological Institute of America
- Birthstone Chart: Modern and Traditional Birthstones, International Gem Society
- The Curious Lore of Precious Stones, by George Frederick Kunz, 1913, J. B. Lippincott (Project Gutenberg edition)
- JA, AGTA Add Spinel as August Birthstone, National Jeweler, 2 June 2016, National Jeweler
Researched, edited and approved by Rory Hansen before publishing. Last reviewed September 27, 2026. How we research
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