Natural vs. Lab-Created Opal

Natural (Genuine) Opal
Formed over millions of years, natural opals are mined from the earth, most famously in Australia, but also in regions like Ethiopia, Mexico, and Peru. Each stone is completely unique, with variations in body color, clarity, and the intensity of its rainbow “play of color.” Because of their rarity, fine-quality natural opals are considered collectible and can be more expensive.

Lab-Created Opal
Lab-created opals are grown in controlled environments to mimic the same chemical, optical, and physical propertiesof natural opal. They display the same mesmerizing flashes of color, but with greater consistency and often in more vibrant shades. Lab-created opals make it possible to enjoy opal’s dazzling color play at a friendlier price, while also offering eco-conscious shoppers a sustainable choice.

How to Choose

• Choose natural opal if you love the idea of owning a one-of-a-kind gem formed by nature.

• Choose lab-created opal if you want the beauty of opal at a more accessible price point, or if you’re looking for vibrant colors with fewer variations.

Both carry the enchanting beauty of October’s birthstone—it simply comes down to your style and budget.

Natural vs. Lab-Created Opal: Quick Comparison

Australian Opal

Australia is the world’s most famous and abundant source of opal, producing about 95% of the global supply. Known for their incredible variety, Australian opals come in several forms, the most notable being white opal and black opal.

• White Opal – With a pale or milky background, white opals display soft flashes of rainbow color that give them a delicate, dreamy look. They are the most common and widely available type of Australian opal.

• Black Opal – Found mainly in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, black opals have a dark body tone—ranging from deep gray to blue-green—that makes their rainbow play of color appear especially vivid and striking. They are considered the rarest and most valuable type of opal.

Australian opals are prized for their durability, strong play of color, and one-of-a-kind patterns, from broad flashes to pinpoint sparkles. Because no two are ever alike, each stone feels truly unique, making them a timeless favorite for collectors and October birthdays alike.

Ethiopian Opal

Ethiopian opals, first discovered in the 1990s, have quickly risen in popularity for their incredible play of color. These gems often flash vibrant shades of red, green, orange, and blue, creating a fiery display that rivals even the finest Australian opals. Many are hydrophane opals, meaning they can absorb water, which may temporarily enhance or alter their appearance.

A common trait of Ethiopian opals is their warm, honey-like or yellowish body tone, which provides a glowing backdrop for the rainbow colors. This gives them a distinct look compared to the paler tones of Australian white opals.

Ethiopian opals are typically more affordable than their Australian counterparts, and because they are often found in larger sizes, they’re an excellent choice for statement jewelry with bold, eye-catching beauty.

Mexican Fire Opal

Mexican fire opals are instantly recognizable for their brilliant warm body colors—ranging from golden yellow to fiery orange and deep red. Unlike most opals, fire opals may or may not display the rainbow play of color. Many are prized purely for their intense, flame-like body tone, which makes them stand out in jewelry even without flashes of green or blue.

These opals are primarily mined in Mexico, where they have been treasured for centuries, dating back to the Aztec civilization. Today, they’re celebrated as one of the boldest and most vivid types of opal, often cut into faceted stones that sparkle with both fire and brilliance.

With their striking, sunlit glow, Mexican fire opals are a favorite for those who want a gemstone that radiates warmth, passion, and energy—perfect for anyone born in October who prefers a bold alternative to softer opal varieties.

Opalite

Though its name can be a little confusing, Opalite is not a naturally occurring opal. It’s actually a man-made glass that has been carefully crafted to resemble the dreamy, iridescent qualities of opal. Opalite often has a soft milky or translucent appearance with a gentle glow that shifts between blue, white, and lavender tones depending on the light. Some pieces can even show a warm golden hue when light passes through.

Because it is glass, Opalite does not have the same microscopic structure that gives genuine opal its famous play of color. Instead, it’s valued for its smooth, luminous look and affordability. Many jewelry lovers appreciate it as a stylish alternative to natural or lab-created opal—especially for larger statement pieces where a natural opal of that size would be rare or very expensive.

Did You Know? Opal Facts & Lore

• Water Content: Opals contain 3–21% water, which is what gives them their glow and shifting colors. Because of this, they’re more delicate than most gems and need gentle care.

• National Gemstone: Opal is the official gemstone of Australia, the source of about 95% of the world’s precious opal.

• Anniversary Stone: Traditionally given for the 14th and 34th wedding anniversaries, symbolizing lasting love and devotion.

• Historic Beliefs: Ancient Romans believed opal symbolized hope and purity, while in the Middle Ages it was thought to bring good luck and invisibility if wrapped in a fresh bay leaf.

• Cosmic Connection: Linked to Venus, the planet of beauty and love, opal has long been associated with creativity, artistry, and emotional expression.

• Durability: With a hardness of 5.5–6 on the Mohs scale, opal is softer than many gemstones. Jewelry with opal should be worn with care, but its one-of-a-kind color play makes it worth it.

Tourmaline is one of the most versatile gemstones in the world, ranging from transparent to opaque and often showing unique color effects. It is easily recognized by its three-sided prism crystal structure and elongated shape, which can enhance its striking hues when cut.

Common Color Varieties:

• Pink to Red (Rubellite) – One of the most popular choices for October birthstones, symbolizing love and compassion.

• Green (Chrome & Dark Green) – Rich, earthy tones that represent growth, vitality, and balance.

• Neon Blue-Green (Paraiba) – An exceptionally rare and highly prized variety known for its electrifying glow, caused by traces of copper.

• Watermelon Tourmaline – A distinctive bi-colored stone with pink in the center and a green outer edge, resembling the refreshing summer fruit.

Other Colors:

Tourmaline can also appear in a rainbow of shades, including white/clear, yellow, orange, brown, purple, gray, black, and even multicolored combinations. This incredible diversity makes tourmaline one of the most colorful gemstones available, with each variety offering its own charm and symbolism.

Did You Know? Tourmaline Facts & Lore

• Color Spectrum: Tourmaline is known as the “rainbow gemstone,” with the International Mineral Association recognizing 32 different mineral varieties.

• Legend: Ancient stories say tourmaline traveled along a rainbow, which is why it appears in so many colors.

• Anniversary Stone: Traditionally gifted for the 8th wedding anniversary, symbolizing enduring love and connection.

• Symbolism by Color: Pink is linked to love and compassion, green to health and vitality, blue to serenity, yellow to self-confidence, and black to protection from negativity.

• Origins: Major sources include Brazil, Africa, the U.S., Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka, each producing gems with distinct colors and qualities.

• Durability: With a Mohs hardness of 7–7.5, tourmaline is more durable than opal and well-suited for everyday jewelry.

Looking beyond opal and tourmaline? October also has a rich list of alternative stones tied to the month and zodiac signs Libra and Scorpio.

October also lists Jasper, Aquamarine, Coral and Beryl.

Libra is Peridot, Lapis Lazuli and opal with Sapphire as the planetary stone and Agate as the talismanic.

Scorpio is Beryl, Apache Tear, Aquamarine, Coral, Obsidian and Topaz with Garnet and Ruby as the planetary stone and amethyst as the talismanic.