Your gran might have told you never to wear an opal unless you were born in October. But where did that idea actually come from?
The answer is wilder than you'd think. It wasn't ancient folklore. It wasn't a curse. It was, quite possibly, a single scene in a Scottish novel.
Read to the very end for the queen who decided the superstition was nonsense, and what she did about it.
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Before the curse: the luckiest stone of all
For a very long time, opal was prized. The Romans valued it highly, and its shifting flashes of every colour made it seem almost alive.
That play of colour is still what makes opal so mesmerising. No two are ever the same.
Oval Opal and Diamond 9ct Yellow Gold Halo Ring | Size O — £599
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1829: the scene that changed everything
Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland's most famous writers, published Anne of Geierstein in 1829.
In it, a mysterious baroness wears an opal in her hair. When a drop of holy water falls on the stone, it flashes like a falling star, turns dull and colourless... and the baroness collapses.
Scott never actually said opals were unlucky. But readers made up their minds anyway.
😱 According to many jewellery historians, opal sales in Europe fell by around half within a year of the book's publication, and stayed low for years afterwards.
One novel. One scene. A whole gemstone trade in trouble.
Art Deco Inspired Octagonal Opal and Diamond 9ct Yellow Gold Cluster Ring | Size O — £850
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Why the myth stuck
Here's the clever bit. There's a grain of real science behind why people believed it.
💧 Opal contains water trapped inside its structure. That hidden water is part of the magic behind its famous play of colour.
To people in the 1800s, a stone whose colours seemed to shift and dance felt mysterious, almost supernatural, and that made it the perfect subject for a legend.
Over time the story grew. Some said opal was only safe for those born in October. Others said it should never go in an engagement ring.
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Opal today: October's birthstone
Opal is now one of October's two birthstones, alongside tourmaline. And in crystal traditions it's often associated with:
• Creativity
• Hope
• Inspiration
• Self-expression
Antique Opal and Diamond 9ct Yellow Gold Cluster Stud Earrings — £675
Art Deco Inspired Opal and Diamond 9ct Yellow Gold Necklace — £895
Want an opal ring in your size? Send us a resize enquiry here.
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Keep that fire flashing
🧽 A soft, damp cloth is all it takes to bring back that rainbow fire
💍 Slip it off for the gym, gardening and cleaning, as with any fine jewellery
👛 Give it its own pouch between wears
✨ Pop into our Kirkcaldy boutique and we'll give it a professional check and clean
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Opal FAQs
Is it bad luck to wear opal if you're not born in October?
It's a superstition, not a rule. The idea that opal is unlucky is widely traced back to Sir Walter Scott's 1829 novel.
Can you wear an opal engagement ring?
Absolutely. An opal engagement ring is truly one of a kind, and a well-made setting keeps it secure and flashing its colours.
What is the birthstone for October?
October has two: opal and tourmaline.
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What our customers say
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Rosie Al-Mulla
"...I went to Eloise with my engagement ring which is an Ethiopian opal that had completely lost it's fire/sparkle and was a dull yellow colour. They managed to restore it completely and it's as beautiful now (and has obviously stayed so, since I'm writing this so long after the fact!) as when my husband gave it to me!"
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So, who was the queen who fought back?
Queen Victoria.
👑 Victoria adored opals. She wore them, gave opal rings to friends, and reportedly gave opal jewellery to each of her daughters when they married.
With the most famous woman in the world wearing them proudly, opal slowly got its reputation back. So if anyone tells you opals are unlucky, you can tell them a queen disagreed.
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Lucky, magical and one of a kind
Opal's "curse" says more about the power of a good story than about the stone itself. Wear it, love it, and enjoy that flash of colour for a lifetime.
Our opal pieces are mostly one-offs, so pop into our Kirkcaldy boutique or browse online. Love myth-busting? Read why your rainbow moonstone might not be moonstone at all.
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Visit or contact Eloise Jewellery
📍 Eloise Jewellery
156 High Street
Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland, KY1 1NQ
✉️ eloisejewellery@hotmail.co.uk
🕒 Monday–Saturday: 9:30am–5:30pm
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Please note: the spiritual properties described in this article come from crystal traditions and folklore. They are not scientifically proven and are not a substitute for medical advice.