Get a Taste of Tourmaline, the New October Birthstone

October’s the proud owner of two fabulous fall birthstones: the opal (traditional) and its new cousin, tourmaline. We’ve discussed opals in previous blogs; now let’s look at the “rainbow gem.”

So, what color is tourmaline?

One thing these stones have in common with opals is a variety of colors. But, as the GIA writes, “Very few gems match tourmaline’s dazzling array of colors. It has a color palette for every mood. Among the most popular are the pink and red rubellites, the emerald green “chrome,” and the neon green and blue-to-violet “paraíba” stones.” 

• Because of this rainbow of colors, tourmalines were often mistaken for rubies, emeralds, and other valuable gemstones.
• A distinctive feature of the stone is “pleochroism.” This means there are different colors or depths of color when it’s rotated. 
• It’s a relatively modern gemstone; it wasn’t widely appreciated till the 1970s. 

Watermelon tourmaline

• A bi-color gem has an outer “rind” of bright green crystal, with a “juicy” pink center that grows as from a different mix of minerals. These crystals will often form with a distinctive rounded triangular shape. 
• The Maine connection: Watermelon tourmaline deposits were first discovered at a mine in Newry in 1902; today, the main (Maine) source is the Dunton mine, near Plumbago Mountain.

Taking care of tourmaline jewelry

• This durable gemstone (7 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale), is resistant to scratching. That makes it a good choice for everyday wear (as opposed to the opal, which is much softer and delicate).
• They’re not particularly sensitive to light and some cleaning detergents, but keep them away from heat.
• Clean tourmalines with warm, soapy water and a soft brush. (Stay away from ultrasonic and steam cleaners!) And be sure to remove them at night.

Buying tourmaline jewelry

• Color: With a variety of colors, it’s really comes down to your choice. But do look for strong saturation of whichever color you choose, with no black areas.
• Clarity: Since the crystals grow in an environment with a lot of liquid, they can result in thread-like inclusions that look. With certain cuts, you can see a cat’s eye effect.
• According to the GIA, “your tourmaline should sparkle in a lively way, reflecting light back evenly across the entire gem.”
• Since it’s more affordable than emeralds or rubies, its versatility inspires designers to create more contemporary pieces, small or large.

Healing properties

Different colors of tourmaline have been believed to have different healing properties. Black tourmaline protects the wearer and offers a sense of self-confidence. Pink brings love and increases compassion and gentleness. Green tourmaline promotes courage, strength and stamina. 

There you have it…treat yourself to beautiful, durable tourmaline jewelry to celebrate your October birthday, or just because you’ve fallen in love with the range of possibilities it offers! And if autumn has you thinking about getting your jewelry in order—and updating your insurance, start by calling me at 617-304-0174 or by email at aimee@ambappraisal.com.

Brilliantly yours, Aimee