Tourmaline: A Guide to October’s Birthstone
October has two birthstones: opal and tourmaline. Tourmaline is also the traditional gift for an eighth wedding anniversary. GIA describes it as having one of the widest color ranges of any gem, and a single crystal can show more than one color. Its name comes from the Sinhalese word "toramalli," which GIA translates as "stone with mixed colors."
What Tourmaline Is
Tourmaline is a group of related boron silicate minerals. The varieties used most often in jewelry include elbaite, dravite and liddicoatite. Differences in chemistry within the group produce its many colors:
Iron and titanium produce green and blue tones.
Manganese produces red, pink and yellow tones.
Copper produces the vivid blues and greens of Paraíba tourmaline.
Tourmaline also has an unusual physical property. It is pyroelectric and piezoelectric, which means a crystal becomes electrically charged when it is heated or squeezed.
Popular Tourmaline Colors and Trade Names
Pink tourmaline: The most familiar October birthstone color, ranging from pale pink to deep magenta.
Rubellite: Trade name for red to purplish-red tourmaline.
Indicolite: Trade name for blue tourmaline.
Paraíba tourmaline: Vivid blue to green tourmaline colored by copper. It was first found in Brazil's Paraíba state in the late 1980s, and similar copper-bearing tourmaline was later found in Mozambique and Nigeria.
Watermelon tourmaline: A crystal with a pink center and green outer layer, often cut into slices that show both colors.
Chrome tourmaline: A rich green colored by chromium.
Where Tourmaline Comes From
Brazil is a leading source, especially the state of Minas Gerais. GIA also lists Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kenya, Madagascar and Mozambique as important sources. In the United States, California and Maine have produced fine tourmaline. Maine's Mount Mica deposit was discovered in 1820.
A Bit of History
Tourmaline was often mistaken for other gems before modern mineralogy. GIA notes that a green tourmaline crystal found in Brazil in the 1500s was believed to be emerald. Between 1902 and 1910, mines in San Diego County, California, shipped about 120 tons of red tourmaline to China, where it was favored by Empress Dowager Cixi. That trade ended after her death in 1908.
How Durable Is Tourmaline?
Tourmaline rates 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes it suitable for rings, pendants and earrings with reasonable care. It is harder than opal, the other October birthstone, which rates 5 to 6.5. For rings worn every day, a protective setting such as a bezel can help shield the stone's edges.
How to Clean and Care for Tourmaline
GIA recommends the following:
Clean tourmaline with warm, soapy water and a soft brush.
Do not use ultrasonic or steam cleaners, because heat can damage the stone.
Store tourmaline separately from harder gems, such as diamonds and sapphires, to prevent scratches.
If a tourmaline ring takes a hard knock, have a jeweler check the prongs and the stone. Warren Jewelers offers jewelry repair at our Burlington store.
Shopping for Tourmaline in Burlington, WA
When you compare tourmaline pieces, look at color first, then clarity and cut. Red and pink tourmaline commonly contain visible inclusions, while green and blue stones are often cleaner. Ask whether a stone has been treated, since heat and irradiation are used on some tourmaline to change its color.
You can see the tourmaline and opal pieces in our case at Warren Jewelers, 1126 South Burlington Boulevard in Burlington, WA. We have served the Skagit Valley since 1973. If you have a loose stone or a design in mind, our team can build it into a custom piece. Call (360) 707-5444 or browse our shop.
Tourmaline Jewelry at Warren Jewelers
These tourmaline pieces are available in our online shop and at our Burlington store:
10x8mm Oval Pink Tourmaline Pendant, 14k Yellow or White Gold
Oval Cut Paraíba Tourmaline Pendant With Diamond Accents, 18k White Gold
Pear Cut Chrome Tourmaline Pendant With Diamond Accent, 14k Yellow Gold
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the birthstones for October?
October has two birthstones: opal and tourmaline. Pink tourmaline is the tourmaline color most often associated with October.
Is tourmaline good for an everyday ring?
Tourmaline rates 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, so it can be worn in a ring with care. A protective setting and avoiding hard knocks will help it last.
How do you clean tourmaline jewelry?
Use warm, soapy water and a soft brush. GIA advises against ultrasonic and steam cleaners.
What is Paraíba tourmaline?
Paraíba tourmaline is copper-bearing tourmaline with vivid blue to green color. It was first discovered in Brazil in the late 1980s and has since been found in Mozambique and Nigeria.
What anniversary is tourmaline for?
Tourmaline is the traditional gem for the eighth wedding anniversary.
