Opals For October, Bad Luck Be Damned

By Brittany Siminitz | October 06, 2026

Opals and I have a complicated relationship. I love looking at them. I love writing about them. Put a great opal in front of me and I will happily lose several minutes watching the colors move around inside. But actually wear one? That is where my deeply superstitious side starts whispering things I know are probably ridiculous.

I know—you’re rolling your eyes. But the opal superstition is a very real one, and could be costing a sale among your most cautious customers. It may be an old wives’ tale, but opal’s old reputation for bad luck—particularly if it isn’t your birthstone—has managed to hold onto its staying power.

Jade Ruzzo Vic hoop earrings — *Vic hoop earrings in 18k yellow gold with 7.2 cts. t.w. opal, $6,200; Jade Ruzzo*

Seventh Chariaot Eye of Revelation pendant — *Eye of Revelation pendant in 18k yellow gold with opal, mother-of-pearl, and diamonds, $6,450; Seventh Chariot*

The superstition, however, is basically literary gossip. According to GIA, opal’s bad reputation often is traced to Sir Walter Scott’s 1829 novel Anne of Geierstein. Earlier beliefs were considerably kinder. Ancient Romans associated opal with love and hope; Greek tradition credited the stone with powers of prophecy; and other legends gave the gem positively supernatural origins, including the belief that opals fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning.

Oscar Heyman opal ring — *Ring in platinum with 11.56 ct. black opal, 1.33 cts. t.w. emeralds, and 0.2 ct. t.w. diamonds, price on request; Oscar Heyman*

On the other hand, there’s something to be said about leaning into the spookiness of opal in October. It’s mysterious. It contains flashes of unexpected colors. It holds centuries of magical lore. If any gemstone belongs alongside pumpkins, ghosts, and our annual willingness to entertain the supernatural, surely it’s this one.

Syna opal star charm — *Star charm in 18k yellow gold with 2 ct. Ethiopian opal and 0.07 ct. t.w. diamonds, $4,650; Syna*

Zome opal ring — *Vintage Reliques collection ring in 18k yellow gold with 15 ct. opal, price on request; Zome*

There’s real science behind some of that magic, too. Opal’s color play comes from light diffracting through orderly arrangements of microscopic silica spheres; the gem is hydrated silica and can contain up to 20% water. No two display color in quite the same way.

That history gives retailers a useful response for customers who share my hesitation: The “bad luck” thing isn’t some ancient warning handed down through the ages. In fact, much of opal’s history casts it as exactly the opposite—lucky, hopeful, and magical.

Eternate marquise opal — *Marquise ring in 14k yellow gold with opal and moissanite, $1,047; Eternate*

Harwell Godfrey Supernova opal pendant — *Supernova pendant in 18k yellow gold with opal, pink spinel, Paraiba, mandarin garnet, and turquoise, price on request; Harwell Godfrey*

But during spooky season? Let it be the bold choice that tempts fate, and dare only the bravest customers to don them. People love a good challenge—and when it comes in the form of a gorgeous opal, certainly plenty will accept.

Top: Cuff bracelet in 18k and 22k yellow gold and platinum with Yowah nut opal, Paraiba tourmalines, and 0.23 ct. t.w. diamonds, price on request; Atelier Zobel