Tourmaline and opal birthstones comes in a rainbow of shades and color combinations, giving October babies a variety of options.

Between tourmaline (whose color depends on trace elements in its chemical makeup) and opal (which diffracts light to show a play of multiple colors), October’s birthstones offer a full spectrum of gemstones to suit anyone’s personal tastes.

Opal

• The name “opal” originates from the Greek word opallios, which meant “to see a change in color.”

Tourmaline

• The name “tourmaline” comes from the Sinhalese words tura mali, which mean “stone of mixed colors.”