October Birthstone Baubles

Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator highlights the two stones that step into the spotlight this month: tourmaline and opal.

Brecken Branstrator brecken.branstrator@nationaljeweler.com

I have mixed feelings about so many months having multiple birthstones. I get why some were added throughout the years--to increase awareness or offer consumers more options--but to a degree it seems like it could just make things more confusing.

But, I love that October is lucky enough to have both opal and tourmaline. It’s sort of perfect that a month gets to have one gemstone that shows such a range of colors within it that throughout history it has been considered the luckiest and most magical of all, and another that comes in so many different colors, it covers almost the entire spectrum.

Both also seem to be doing extremely well in the colored stone market right now, as black and boulder opals especially trend upward and tourmaline pops up in more and more designs. Paraiba also continues to sit among a few others stones at the top of the gem hierarchy, and that doesn’t seem likely to change.

These are two stones that seem to be almost universally loved; here are 14 jewels to showcase their beauty.

This is Meira T’s Australian opal and diamond ring made in 14-karat yellow gold ($575).
MeiraTDesigns.com

Elisa Solomon’s 18-karat yellow gold disk stud earrings with opal cabochons, pearls and white diamond melee ($930)
ElisaSolomon.com

Maya Brenner’s triplet studs with opals and 14-karat yellow gold ($960)
MayaBrenner.com

These baguette studs are part of the Kalan by Suzanne Kalan collection created by the designer’s daughter, Patile. They feature opal center stones with a white diamond bezel set in 14-karat rose gold ($1,452).
SuzanneKalan.com

Borgioni’s 18-karat white gold, opal slice and diamond drop earrings ($7,370)
Borgionis.com

Yoko London’s earrings feature opals, 13 to 14 mm South Sea pearls and diamonds in 18-karat white and black gold (price available upon request).
YokoLondon.com

Lydia Courteille’s 18-karat gold earrings with opals and diamonds (price available upon request)
LydiaCourteille.com

Margoni 18-karat yellow gold studs with pink tourmaline ($750)

Daria de Koning’s “Delicate Czarina” ring with pink tourmaline set in 18-karat yellow gold ($900)
DariadeKoning.com

M. Spalten Jewelry’s double tourmaline “Brick” necklace in 18-karat rose gold ($2,872)
MSpalten.com

The “Madame la Marquise” Paraiba tourmaline and diamond ring from Kataoka Jewelry ($6,980)
Kataoka-Jewelry.com

Stefere’s 18-karat white gold “Hibiscus” ring features a green tourmaline at center, accented with green garnets and diamonds ($9,900).
Stefere.com

This is Bavna’s 18-karat rose gold bangle with rose-cut champagne diamonds, polki-cut diamonds and rubellite tourmaline ($18,000).
Bavna.com

Banner will be right here …

Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.