October's Jewels: Opals & Tourmalines in Antique Jewelry

October's birthstones—opal and tourmaline—have long enchanted jewelry lovers with their mesmerizing color play and rich symbolism. In the realm of antique jewelry, these gems are more than beautiful—they’re storytellers, echoing the artistry and values of the past.

Opals: Light, Lore, and Mystery

In antique pieces, opals are often found in Victorian and Edwardian jewelry, celebrated for their mysterious iridescence. Known as the “Queen of Gems,” opals were believed to bring luck, inspiration, and creativity—a single stone capturing every color of the rainbow.

Victorian opal rings often feature hand-carved settings, symbolic motifs, and naturalistic details, reflecting the era's fascination with the ethereal and the romantic. In the Edwardian period, opals were frequently set in lace-like filigree and accented with seed pearls, their glow adding softness and elegance to the intricate metalwork.

Tourmalines: Vibrant Color & Emotional Balance

While opals bring the shimmer, tourmalines bring the spectrum. Beloved for their wide range of hues, antique tourmaline jewelry—especially from the Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts eras—often showcases rose-cut or cabochon tourmalines in rich pinks, greens, and watermelon combinations.

Tourmalines were believed to promote emotional balance, self-expression, and protection—qualities highly valued by both artisans and wearers. These stones added vivid contrast to flowing, organic gold designs and were often paired with enamel or moonstone to heighten their mystical appeal.

A Celebration of October’s Duality

Together, opal and tourmaline symbolize the duality of October—ethereal yet grounded, romantic yet bold. Antique opal and tourmaline jewelry captures this spirit in wearable art, perfect for collectors, dreamers, and those drawn to the deeper meaning behind their adornments.