How To Choose Opal Birthstone Jewellery
Opal has been linked to hope, love and imagination for centuries, which makes opal birthstone jewellery such a meaningful October gift. For the full story, read our October birthstone guide. Below, we'll help you find the right piece, whether you're buying for someone special or yourself.
Opal Birthstone Jewellery At A Glance
| October Birthstone |
Opal and tourmaline |
| Opal Types |
Black, crystal, white, boulder, doublet, triplet |
| Origins |
Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy, Queensland |
| Metals |
Sterling silver, gold plated silver, 9ct to 18ct gold |
| Styles |
Pendants, earrings, rings and bracelets |
| Easiest Gifts |
Pendants and earrings, with no sizing needed |
| Included |
Certificate of Authenticity with every piece |
| Shipping |
Free, tracked and insured worldwide |
| Returns |
30-day change of mind on eligible items |
October Birthstone Jewellery Styles
Opal birthstone jewellery comes in four main styles. Here's how each one wears, so you can choose the right piece.
Opal Rings: A personal, meaningful gift, but you'll need her ring size. Rings take more knocks than other jewellery, so bezel settings can be preferred as they are more protective.
Opal Pendants: An opal birthstone necklace or pendant is the easiest opal gift to get right, with no sizing to guess. A pendant sits away from everyday knocks, so it's ideal for wearing often. Our pendants come with a complimentary display chain. For everyday wear, choose a sterling silver or gold chain to match your pendant, or wear it on one of your own.
Opal Earrings: Worn close to the face, where the colour is easy to see. Studs suit everyday wear, while drop earrings move with you and show more changing colour.
Opal Bracelets: A lovely choice for special occasions. Because bracelets can knock against tables and desks, make sure you wear with care and take the bracelet off for the gym, gardening and housework.
Browse by style: Opal rings, Opal pendants, Opal earrings and Opal bracelets.
What is the October birthstone?
Alongside tourmaline, opal is an October birthstone. A rare gemstone famous for its shifting rainbow colours, Australian opal is regarded as the finest in the world and is commonly used in birthstone jewellery such as opal rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets.
Types Of Opal In Our Birthstone Jewellery
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Black opal: Has a dark body tone that makes the colours look bold and vivid. Mined mainly at Lightning Ridge, it's the rarest type.
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Crystal opal: Is transparent to translucent, with bright colour that seems to radiate from within.
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White opal: Has a milky body tone with soft, gentle colour, and is a lovely, affordable choice.
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Boulder opal: Forms naturally on ironstone in Queensland, often in organic, freeform shapes.
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Doublet: A slice of genuine opal backed with a dark layer to bring out the colour. It gives more colour for the price.
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Triplet: A layer of genuine opal with a dark backing and a clear protective cap. It's the most affordable way to enjoy bright opal colour.
Want to know more? Read our guide to the types of Australian opal.
Did you know?
Opal can display many colours depending on the type of stone. The most common include green, blue and purple, while rarer stones may display red and orange flashes. The colour patterns shift and move when the gemstone catches the light. Read more about opal colour in our guide.
How To Buy Opal Birthstone Jewellery
When buying jewelry set with opal, it’s important to look for:
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Colour: Look for bright flashes that move as you tilt the stone. Red is the rarest colour, with blue and green the most common.
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Setting: Bezel settings protect the edges of the opal stone, which is ideal for rings worn every day.
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Metal: Sterling silver suits everyday wear and smaller budgets, gold plated silver gives a gold look at a lower price, and gold is made to last for years.
October Birthday Gift Ideas
By budget
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Under $200: Triplet or solid opal earrings and pendants in sterling silver or gold plated silver are a lovely first opal, with plenty of colour for the price.
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$200 to $500: Doublets, plus solid crystal and boulder opal pendants and rings.
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$500 and above: Solid gold pieces and Lightning Ridge black opal, for milestone birthdays and gifts made to last.
By recipient
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For your partner: A pendant is a safe and romantic choice, with no ring size to guess.
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For mum: Earrings suit everyday wear and go with everything.
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For a sister or friend: A bracelet or smaller pendant is a thoughtful gift that's easy to wear.
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For yourself: Go with the stone that catches your eye. Opal is very personal, and you'll know the one.
Did you know?
When we select our opals for our October birthstone jewellery, we look at three things: brightness, play-of-colour and pattern. The most desirable stones show strong flashes of colour from more than one angle.
October Birthstone Jewellery FAQs
What is the birthstone for October?
Opal is an October birthstone, alongside tourmaline. Opal is the traditional choice, and most of the world's gem-quality opal comes from Australia.
Is opal a good birthday gift?
Yes. No two opals are the same, so every piece is one of a kind. It's a gift that feels personal, especially for someone born in October.
Why is Australian opal considered the best?
Australian opal is widely regarded as the finest quality opal in the world due to its intense colour play and natural formation. Australia produces the majority of the world’s precious opal.
Can opal be worn every day?
Yes, with a little care. Opal is softer than sapphire or diamond, so protective settings help, and it's best to take it off for the gym, gardening or cleaning. Solid opals can get wet, but doublets and triplets should be kept out of water. Read more about opal care in our guide.
5. What type of opal is best for birthstone jewellery?
The most desirable opals for birthstone jewellery are black opal from Lightning Ridge, crystal and white opal from Coober Pedy, and boulder opal from Queensland. Each type offers different colour intensity, body tone and appearance.
What is the best opal jewellery to gift for birthdays?
All types of opal jewellery are suitable to gift those born in October, especially pendants and earrings which don't typically require special sizes. Opal rings are also a popular choice due to their symbolism, and bracelets make impressive presents too.
Is opal a lucky birthstone?
Opal has long been seen as a stone of luck, love and inspiration. In many cultures it was believed to bring good fortune, creativity and emotional balance to the wearer. Because opal reflects many colours, it was thought to carry the powers of multiple gemstones in one stone. Read more about opal's bad luck myth.
Are doublets and triplets real opal?
Doublets and triplets are composite stones. Each contains a layer of genuine Australian opal joined to a backing to bring out the colour. Triplets also have a clear quartz cap for extra protection. They're a great choice if you'd like bright colour at a lower price.
Will my gift come with a certificate?
Yes. Every piece comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Will it arrive in time for the birthday?
We aim to pack and ship your order the same day, for orders placed before noon AEST on business days. Estimated delivery times are:
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Standard shipping: about 2-5 business days within Australia, and 8-10 business days internationally.
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Express shipping: about 1-4 business days within Australia, and 5-8 business days internationally.
Standard shipping is free worldwide, and orders over AUD $1,500 are upgraded to free express shipping. If the birthday is coming up soon, order early or choose express shipping at checkout. Please note: delivery times listed are estimates from Australia Post and can vary with shipping location, customs and busy periods.
Do you ship opal birthstone jewellery to the USA?
Yes. We ship to the USA daily, with free, tracked and insured shipping. Tariffs are included on orders of USD $2,500 and under, so there's nothing extra to pay on delivery. We also ship to Canada, the UK, Europe and beyond.
Why Shop Opal Birthstone Jewelry At Black Star Opal
Buying opal for the first time can feel like a leap, especially as a gift. That's where we come in. Our family has worked with Australian opal since 1969, so we know what makes a stone special and what will suit everyday wear. Since 1985, we've welcomed customers to The Opal Centre in Coffs Harbour, and we have more than 120 five-star Google reviews for our online store. Every piece arrives with a Certificate of Authenticity, so you can give it with confidence.
When you purchase from Black Star Opal, you receive:
- Genuine Australian opals
- Individually selected, ethically sourced gemstones and jewellery with natural play-of-colour
- Certificate of Authenticity
- Free, tracked and insured worldwide shipping
- 30-day change of mind on eligible, unworn items
About the author
Olivia Deskoski grew up on the Lightning Ridge opal fields and is the founder of Black Star Opal, part of her family's Australian opal business since 1969. A gemmology and diamond technology graduate of the Gemmological Association of Australia, she curated the world's only opal-inspired light installation for Vivid Sydney 2015 and helped raise $1 million for the Australian Opal Centre. Through her writing, she shares her lifelong passion for Australian opal and helps customers buy with confidence. She assists in selecting the opal birthstone pieces in this collection with first-time buyers and gift-givers in mind.
Last updated: October 2026
