Opal tends to get the headliner spot in October, and it’s no surprise why. With all the mystery, intrigue, and drama Halloween brings, the birthstone mirrors the month’s vibe.
Take the mesmerizing black opal: It’s like a gothic crystal ball, swirling with the colors of magic—and maybe a few lost souls. Opal really is an ideal fit for October (and beloved all the other months, too).
But tourmaline is just as revered, though not for the same qualities. In its rainbow of colors, it’s a stone that designers love to work with and consumers love to wear—a bright and cheerful, sometimes even electric, presence.
But bright and cheerful isn’t really the vibe for fall, is it? Our wardrobes tend to get darker, often more neutral in hue. Even at a time as jubilant as the upcoming holiday season, the brightest colors lean more jewel-tone than electric—deep, dark, and rich.
Tourmaline can do that, and quite beautifully to boot. In earthy tones such as brown and green or a gorgeous autumnal wine, tourmaline is just as good a color match for October as opal is.
Here’s proof—some of the latest lovely tourmaline jewels in the colors of fall.
Alejandra bouquet ring in 14k yellow gold with 1.09 ct. brownish orange tourmaline, 0.06 ct. Montana sapphire, 0.08 ct. Oregon sunstone, 0.07 ct. seafoam tourmaline, and 0.03 ct. chrysoberyl, $3,900; Chroma by G.St
Hoop earrings in gold-plated sterling silver with tourmaline, $393; Jorge RevillaRing in 18k yellow gold-plated sterling silver with 2.99 cts. t.w. multicolor tourmaline and white topaz, price on request; Gemcolorz
Ring in 18k white gold with smoky quartz shank, 36.8 ct. faceted tourmaline, and 0.89 ct. t.w. diamonds, price on request; SanalitroOne-of-a-kind link bracelet in 18k yellow gold with bicolor tourmaline, price on request; Lizzie MandlerRing in 20k rose gold with Mozambique tourmaline and green tourmaline, $10,700; Nak ArmstrongBead necklace in 14k yellow gold with tourmaline, $550; EF CollectionRing in 14k rose gold with 5.75 ct. tourmaline and 0.28 ct. t.w. diamonds, $4,235; Carl K. GumpertRing in yellow gold with emerald-cut purple tourmaline and diamonds, price on request; Jacquie Aiche
Ring in 18k yellow gold with 12.04 ct. bicolor autumn tourmaline and golden keshi South Sea cultured pearls, price on request; AssaelRing in 18k white and yellow gold with 5.02 ct. green tourmaline and 0.44 ct. t.w. diamonds, $11,755; Yael DesignsAthena pendant in 18k yellow gold with 5 ct. green tourmaline, $12,430; Minka JewelsOne-of-a-kind Chrona demi ring in 18k yellow gold with mint green tourmaline, price on request; VramAthena stud earrings in 18k yellow gold with 1.82 cts. t.w. chrome tourmaline, $9,800; Emily KuvinRing in 14k yellow gold with 3.5 ct. green tourmaline and 1.15 cts. t.w. diamonds, price on request; Lord JewelryEarrings in 18k yellow gold with 14.97 cts. t.w. green and greenish brown tourmaline, $8,020; RahaminovBubble ring in 14k yellow gold with mint green tourmaline, $3,280; Ashley Zhang
Top: Ring in 14k yellow gold with 7.13 ct. apricot tourmaline, 0.18 ct. t.w. green tourmaline, and 0.25 ct. t.w. diamonds, $7,500; Melinda Lawton
