October Birthstones

If you read it, It really sounds like the gems from October birthstones list were pulled from a treasure chest of Sinbad the Sailor:
Opal - October birthstone;
Tourmaline - October birthstone;
Agate - guardian angel birth gem;
Jacinth - special apostle birthstone for October;
Jasper & Garnet - Libra and Scorpio astral birth rocks.

In a hurry and would like to skip to a particular section?

1. Introduction to October birthstones

2. Opal - October birthstone

3. Tourmaline - birthstone for October

4. Agate - guardian angel birth gem

5. Jacinth - special apostle birth rock for October

6. Jasper - Libra astral birthstone

7. Garnet - Scorpio celestial birth gem

Out of all these birthstones, which gem is for you? Well, it may be the gem that reflects your personality, it may be the birthstone that you feel most connected to, it may be the birth gem that you like the most or that suits you better, or it may be all of them. In other words, it’s totally up to you!

People were always intrigued about possessing a gemstone that is more than just a gem set in a ring or a necklace. A rock with spiritual and mental connection, something close to our heart and soul - a birthstone.

Most if not all birthstone lists are are based on biblical Aaron's breastplate gemstones or the gems from the foundation of New Jerusalem, and October birthstones are not an exception. The assignments of birthstones by month or zodiac sign are the most common ones. I have picked the 4 most compelling in my humble opinion lists of birthstones: by birth month, guardian angel birthstones, by zodiac sign, and special apostle birthstones list. 

He loved October. Had always loved it. There was something sad and beautiful about it - the ending and beginning of things.

wrote Jacqueline Woodson, an American writer. In October "The Mickey Mouse Club" began on ABC, musical "Cats" opened on Broadway, and Apollo 7 was launched from Cape Canaveral. In October Bill Gates, Kim Kardashian, Zac Efron, Katy Perry, and Vladimir Putin celebrate their birthdays. It is a National Arts & Humanities Month, Bullying Prevention Month, and Work and Family Month. Oktoberfest, Smile Day and Columbus Day are celebrated in October.

Bariel is October guardian angel, a patron of wealth.

October special apostle is Simon the Zelotes also known as Simon the Canaanite. He is arguably the most obscure apostle among apostles of Jesus. Simon is also considered a martyr and a preacher, and is a patron of curriers, leather and timber industries workers.

In the ancient times opals were presented in great variety so much so that their name was derived from a Sanskrit word ‘upala’ simply meaning ‘gemstone’. This birthstone was long considered one of the most mysterious of gems because it could blend a multitude of colors in one gem.

The word tourmaline appears to be derived from Ceylonese ‘turmali’ or ‘toramalli’. The first specimens of birthstone tourmaline arrived in London in the 17th century were commonly called ‘Brazilian Emeralds’ because they were mostly of green color and originated from Brazil. Dutch traders brought this gem to Amsterdam in the 18th century and sourced it from the island of Ceylon.

Tourmaline is a birth gem that has very interesting physical properties. It can be green at one end and pink at the other, or it may appear opaque from one angle and transparent from the other one.

In ancient China precious gemstones were ranked based on religious and ceremonial considerations. Red or pink tourmaline was considered the gem of the 1st rank.

Birthstone tourmaline is the symbol of wisdom, power of knowledge and strength of mind. It is considered to be the stone of writers, authors, teaches, and editors. Dreams of tourmaline have a meaning of ‘success through knowledge in all walks of life’.

Many jewelry houses incorporate agate into their earrings, bracelets, pendants, rings, and other pieces that were worn by Paris Hilton, Katy Perry, and other celebrities.

Jacinth is red-orange and an ancient version of zircon. It was mentioned in multiple books ranging from the bible to the  Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor in Thousand and One Nights.

Swedenbog, Swedish mystic and scientist of the 18th century, wrote that jacinth can provide “intelligence from spiritual love and in an opposite sense, intelligence from infernal love which is self-derived intelligence.”

Some astrologists believe that when zodiac signs ascend and descend they share the similar virtues with preceding and succeeding signs, and therefore it may be acceptable for Scorpio born on October 24, 25, and 26 to use jasper as their zodiacal birthstone as well.

Jasper was a treasured birthstone in antiquity known before Christian era. It had a reputation of bringing rains and good harvests.

This birthstone was also credited for driving away evil spirits and protecting people from bites of venomous creatures. It was believed to help sustain courage in danger and help keep a cool head when difficult decisions were to be made. Jasper was also assigned with magic features of other birthstones because it exists in a multitude of colors with several of those colors often presented in each gem.

More about birthstone jasper

Many astrologists think that zodiac signs overlap when they change one another and share the similar virtues with preceding and succeeding signs, and therefore it may be acceptable for Libras born on October 21, 22, and 23 to use garnet as their zodiacal birthstone as well.