October is known for many things:
Halloween and Columbus Day are two that come to mind. Others include
the weather changing to cooler temperatures, the leaves beginning to
fall from the trees after changing colors, and, of course, tourmaline gemstone jewelry. Yes, tourmaline – the birthstone for those born in
October. This gemstone is available in several colors, all of which
fit this month of autumn perfectly.
About Tourmaline
Tourmaline is classified as a
semi-precious stone. This puts it in the same category as garnets,
peridots, aquamarines and tanzanite, among others. These stones are
more commonly found in nature, and thus are priced slightly lower
than other, more precious gemstones like emeralds, rubies and
diamonds. However, it is just as beautiful, if not more so, than
these precious stones.
Tourmalines come in a number of
different colors, but the most common is a deep purple-red. Other
options include black (known as shorl), brown (davite) and deep blue,
shades of green, yellow, and colorless. The color of the tourmaline
depends on the levels of sodium iron within it. Interestingly,
tourmaline also is known to have magnetic and pyroelectric
properties, as the stone attracts and repels recently burned ashes.
The stone is found in several different
places throughout the world, including the United States (most
notably in Maine), Brazil, Nigeria, Tanzania and Afghanistan.
Tourmaline Jewelry
Tourmaline gemstone jewelry comes in many
different styles, including rings, earrings and necklaces. Often it
is paired with other gemstones, such as diamonds. Since it is a
semi-precious stone, tourmaline rings, even those surrounded by tiny,
inset diamonds, are a more affordable option than other dual-stone
rings. However, they are no less beautiful. One good example of this
is a 5-carat tourmaline stone, set into an 18 karat yellow gold
setting and surrounded by several carats worth of small diamonds.
Other jewelry made from tourmalines
include necklaces featuring a semi-polished version of the stones.
These are left “uncut” and closely resemble their natural form,
as opposed to the highly polished sort found in rings and pendants.
Since tourmalines are found in so many different colors, these types
of multi-strung necklaces are striking when seen in person!
How to Wear Tourmaline
Unlike other birthstones, opal, for
example, that are bad luck to wear if they aren’t your birthstone
(for the record, opal is also October’s birthstone), tourmaline can
be worn by anyone, no matter what month they were born. A beautiful
tourmaline ring or pendant goes perfectly with everything from work
clothing to a pair of jeans and some boots, as well as evening wear,
making it a very versatile and interesting piece.
