Birthstones by month
Birthstones · Updated 2026-10-25
October Birthstone and Birth Flower: Meaning and Gift Ideas
The October birthstones are opal and tourmaline. Opal is known for its rainbow play-of-color and stands for purity, hope and truth; tourmaline comes in nearly every color. October's birth flowers are the marigold and the cosmos. Opal is softer than most gems, so it takes gentler care.
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What do the October birthstones, opal and tourmaline, mean?
Opal's name is believed to come from the Sanskrit upala, meaning precious stone, which became opalus in ancient Rome. Its shifting rainbow colors, called play-of-color, have been compared to fireworks, galaxies and volcanoes. Europeans long saw it as a symbol of purity, hope and truth.
Ancient Greeks thought opals bestowed the gift of prophecy and protection from disease, and Bedouins believed opal held lightning that fell from the sky in thunderstorms. Opal is the gem for the 14th wedding anniversary, and Australia is the most productive source.
Tourmaline is the second October birthstone, with endless color combinations, and it rates 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, so it is generally suitable for everyday wear. Opal is 5 to 6.5, so it is better in pendants and earrings than in a ring worn constantly.
What is the October birth flower?
The October birth flowers are the marigold and the cosmos. Marigold stands for warmth, creativity and protection of the home, and cosmos represents harmony and order, from the Greek for an ordered universe.
Marigolds bloom from early summer through late fall, so a pot of orange marigolds is a cheerful October gift, and cosmos are easy to grow in lean soil and full sun.
What are the best birthday gifts for someone born in October?
October birthdays share the month with Halloween and fall plans. A gift with a seasonal feel, such as a cozy blanket, a good pumpkin spice candle or tickets to something fun, suits the time of year.
Tell Mira in Prezynt who you are shopping for and what they love, and she suggests 3 to 5 ideas that go beyond the obvious fall gift.
What are the October birthstone facts?
Stone lists from the American Gem Society, meanings from GIA, and birth flowers from the Farmers' Almanac.
| Detail | October |
|---|
| Birthstone | Opal, Tourmaline |
| Older or alternate choice | Opal |
| Color | Rainbow play-of-color |
| What it stands for | Opal has been seen as a symbol of purity, hope and truth. |
| Birth flowers | Marigold and Cosmos |
| Flower meaning | Marigold stands for warmth and creativity; cosmos represents harmony. |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) | Opal 5 to 6.5; tourmaline 7 to 7.5 |
| Wedding anniversary | Opal is the gem for the 14th anniversary |
| Care tip | Clean opal with warm, soapy water only and keep it away from sudden heat |
Gift picks
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Opal gifts
14k Opal Earrings - October
$152.48 · My Gift Stop
14k opal earrings labeled for October, in a mid-range price. Opal is the month's birthstone, and its soft glow suits a dress or a plain sweater, in a classic stud look.
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Women's Sterling Silver Circle Opal Necklace
$100 · Allyanna Gifts
A sterling silver circle necklace with an opal, an easy-priced October birthstone gift. The circle is simple and modern, and the opal's play of color catches the light as she moves.
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Opal Solitaire Hoop Charm - 14K Gold Vermeil
$25 · eklexic
A 14k gold vermeil opal solitaire hoop charm, a very small and inexpensive October gift. She can add it to a chain or a bracelet, and it is a nice extra beside a card.
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14K Gold Oval Shaped Opal Pendant Necklace
$248.19 · YFN
A 14k gold oval opal pendant necklace, a splurge-level October gift. Opal is the month's birthstone, and the gold setting gives it a classic look that goes with everyday clothes and dressier outfits.
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Birthday gifts for someone born in October
Iridescent Pink Candle - Cap-D'Ail
$45 · Malibu Apothecary
An iridescent pink candle, in the shifting, pearly color of opal and pink tourmaline, October's birthstones. A gentle birthday gift for anyone who loves a candle on the table at dinner.
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Vertical Rainbow 40 Oz Stainless Steel Insulated Tumbler
$81 · Wall to Wall
A vertical rainbow 40 ounce insulated stainless steel tumbler, a nod to opal's rainbow play of color. It keeps drinks cold or hot through a long day, and the price is friendly.
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2D Memory Crystal™ - Pre-Design Keychain - Octagon - October Marigold-Medium
$49 · Beyond Memories
A 2D memory crystal keychain with an octagon and a marigold design, October's birth flower. A mid-priced keepsake that sits on keys or a bag, and it makes a personal birthday gift.
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Tourmaline Necklace - October Birthstone
$43 · All Cotton and Linen
A tourmaline necklace labeled for October birthdays. Tourmaline is the month's second stone, in a pendant at an easy price that works every day or as a gift to add to a card.
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Frequently asked
What are the October birthstones?
The October birthstones are opal and tourmaline, both listed by the American Gem Society and Jewelers of America. Opal is the traditional choice.
What is play-of-color in opal?
Play-of-color is the shifting display of rainbow colors that appears on an opal as you move it, the feature that makes the October birthstone so distinctive.
What are the October birth flowers?
The October birth flowers are the marigold and the cosmos. Marigold stands for warmth and creativity, and cosmos represents harmony and order.
Can I wear opal in a daily ring?
Opal rates 5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, so it can scratch or crack with knocks and sudden heat, which makes pendants and earrings a safer setting for it.
What colors does tourmaline come in?
Tourmaline comes in nearly every color, often with several colors in one stone, so you can match it to someone's favorite shade.