TOURMALINE
Tolerance & compassion
The Tourmaline gemstone has one of the widest colour ranges among gemstones. It can be found in almost every colour. The tourmaline’s name stems from the Sinhalese word ”Toramalli” – a word for a gemstone in multiple colours. It has even gotten the nickname,” rainbow gemstone”.
OCTOBER'S BIRTHSTONE
Tourmaline is October's birthstone, alongside the Opal, and are also the birthstones for the zodiacs Libra & Scorpio. Each month has its own unique gemstone to represent it. Carrying your birthstone is said to bring good luck. You can carry your birthstone as a good luck amulet, or your loved ones’ birthstone as a symbol of love.
SYMBOLISM
Tourmaline symbolises tolerance and compassion. It’s thus said that it emphasizes understanding – both for others and for yourself. Tourmaline is a confidence stone, which is full of inspiration and positive energy.
Learn more about gemstone symbolism in our large Gemstone Encyclopedia here.
SPIRITUALITY
The Tourmaline is said to be an especially beneficial stone for those carrying around a broken heart since it's said to promote love while spreading and dissolving emotional blockages in the emotional as well as spiritual realms.
Depending on which colour of tourmaline you carry, its connected to a different chakra. The green tourmaline is connected to your heart chakra and opens for self-compassion. The pink tourmaline is also connected to the heart chakra and reflects the Light of Love as well as
allegedly soothing anxiety and stress.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR TOURMALINE JEWELLERY
The Tourmaline is a relatively hard gemstone and is thus very durable for jewellery. Avoid storing your Tourmaline jewellery in direct sunlight, as this may cause the colour to fade. Also, avoid high heat as this may also cause the colour to fade – if the temperature changes too rapidly, the stone may also crack.
Clean your Tourmaline jewellery with room-temperature
water, mild soap, and a soft brush or cloth. It’s not recommended to use ultrasonic cleaning on Tourmaline jewellery.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
It’s said that the widow Empress, Tzu Hsi of China, had an affinity for Tourmaline, which made it especially popular in the latter half of the 1800-hundreds. The gemstone was not only set into fine jewellery but was also set into precious trinkets and decorations.
TOURMALINE'S MANY COLOURS
It’s the Tourmaline’s many strong colours that make it especially coveted. Multi-coloured Tourmaline in a single gemstone is not uncommon. Tourmaline has different names depending on its colour.
Rubellite Tourmaline (red-purple), Chrome Tourmaline (intense green), Watermelon Tourmaline (green on the edges, red in the centre), Parti Tourmaline (multi-coloured tourmaline).
WHAT ARE GEMSTONE INCLUSIONS?
Tourmaline is a gemstone with relatively many inclusions – which are tiny crevices within the gemstone, oftentimes shaped as small feathers. Completely clear tourmaline gemstones without inclusions are especially valuable.
WEDDING DAY JEWELLERY
Many gemstones are connected to a special anniversary. Tourmaline jewellery is traditionally gifted on the 8th wedding anniversary.
Tourmaline's symbolism of compassion & tolerance also makes Tourmaline jewellery an extra thoughtful gift for your 8th wedding anniversary.
TOURMALINE'S GEMMOLOGY
Tourmaline consists of the elements, silicate, boron, and aluminium. Its colour is determined by which other elements affect the mineral under its creation. Tourmaline is a 7-7.5 on Moh’s Hardness Scale, which is a scale from 1-10, determining the hardness of gemstones, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the hardest. Tourmaline can be extracted in Brazil, The United States, Sri Lanka, Russia, Madagascar, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Afghanistan.
ALL TOURMALINE JEWELLERY
Shop the birthstone of October here
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PEARL
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BLUE TOPAZ
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