October birthstone: opal and pink tourmaline meaning and symbolism
Born in October? You get two birthstones to choose from: opal and tourmaline.
Opal is known for creativity and emotional expression, but it can be fragile and expensive. Tourmaline — especially pink tourmaline — is more durable, more affordable, and carries beautiful meaning around love, compassion, and emotional healing.
At Haloom Handmade, we work with tourmaline because it's versatile, meaningful, and built to last — perfect for everyday wear.
What opal means
Opal symbolises creativity, inspiration, and emotional expression. Its play of colour — flashes of rainbow light inside the stone — has fascinated people for centuries.
Ancient Romans believed opal contained all the virtues of every gemstone because it showed every colour. In Arabic legend, opals fell from the sky in flashes of lightning.
Today, opal is still valued for its ability to inspire creativity, amplify emotions, and encourage self-expression.
What tourmaline means (and why it's a great alternative)
Tourmaline comes in more colours than almost any other gemstone. Pink tourmaline, the most popular for October, symbolises love, compassion, and emotional healing.
Tourmaline has been used for centuries. Ancient magicians used it as a protective talisman. In the 1800s, Chinese royalty carved tourmaline into snuff bottles and ornaments. Today, it's valued for its durability and the wide range of meanings each colour carries.
Pink tourmaline is known for:
Opening the heart to love and compassion
Healing emotional wounds and releasing old pain
Encouraging self-love and acceptance
Bringing calm and emotional balance
It's a gentle stone, but it's also strong. Perfect for people who want to feel more open-hearted without losing their grounding.
Why tourmaline comes in so many colours
Tourmaline is one of the most chemically complex gemstones. Depending on which elements are present during formation, you get different colours:
Pink tourmaline (rubellite) — love, compassion, emotional healing
Black tourmaline — protection, grounding, clearing negativity
Green tourmaline (verdelite) — growth, vitality, connection to nature
Watermelon tourmaline — pink centre, green outside, balances heart and emotions
Some tourmaline even shows multiple colours in one stone. No two pieces are exactly alike.
Things you probably didn't know
About opal:
Opal is made of tiny silica spheres stacked together. The way light bounces between them creates the colour play.
Australia produces about 95% of the world's opal.
Opal can contain up to 20% water, which is why it can crack if it dries out.
In the Middle Ages, opal was called the "eye stone" and was believed to improve eyesight.
About tourmaline:
The name "tourmaline" comes from the Sinhalese word "turmali," meaning "mixed gems," because early traders thought the different colours were different stones.
Tourmaline is piezoelectric and pyroelectric — it generates an electric charge when heated or squeezed.
Pink tourmaline was a favourite of Chinese Empress Dowager Cixi, who was buried on a carved tourmaline pillow.
Some tourmaline changes colour depending on the light, just like alexandrite.
Both stones are fascinating. But tourmaline is tougher, more versatile, and easier to care for.
Tourmaline and the heart chakra
Pink tourmaline is strongly connected to the heart chakra, which is all about love, compassion, emotional healing, and connection to others.
People often choose pink tourmaline when they want:
To heal from heartbreak or emotional pain
More self-love and acceptance
To open their heart to new relationships or deeper connections
Emotional balance and calm
It's a stone that reminds you to be kind to yourself and others — without losing your boundaries.
Why pink tourmaline makes a thoughtful October gift
If you're shopping for someone born in October, pink tourmaline jewellery is a meaningful and practical choice. It's beautiful, durable, and carries symbolism around love, compassion, and emotional healing — things that actually matter.
It's also a great gift for anyone working through a tough time, learning to love themselves more, or just trying to keep their heart open without getting hurt. Pink tourmaline doesn't judge. It just supports.
At Haloom Handmade, our Self-Love Reminder pink tourmaline necklace, pink tourmaline 6mm bracelet, and Steady Heart pink tourmaline and rose quartz set are all designed for everyday wear. Gentle, grounding, and made to remind you to stay open-hearted.
Common questions about October birthstones
Does October have two birthstones?
Yes. October's traditional birthstones are opal and tourmaline. Both are beautiful, but tourmaline is more durable and easier to care for.
What's the difference between opal and tourmaline?
Opal is known for its play of colour and symbolises creativity and inspiration, but it's fragile. Tourmaline is more durable, comes in many colours, and pink tourmaline symbolises love and emotional healing.
Can I wear tourmaline every day?
Yes. Tourmaline is much harder than opal and can handle daily wear without special care. It's a great choice for rings, bracelets, and necklaces.
Which chakra does pink tourmaline connect to?
Pink tourmaline is connected to the heart chakra, supporting love, compassion, emotional healing, and self-acceptance.
Why does tourmaline come in so many colours?
Tourmaline is chemically complex. Different trace elements during formation create different colours, from pink to black to green to watermelon (pink and green together).
What do opal and tourmaline symbolise?
Opal symbolises creativity, inspiration, and emotional expression. Pink tourmaline symbolises love, compassion, and emotional healing. Both are about opening up and expressing yourself authentically.