From Paraiba to Rubellite; October's Gemstone Tourmaline are full of passion

Whether it’s the fiery and luscious berry Rubellite or the electric green-blues of Paraiba, the Tourmaline Group of gems are more than beautiful gemstones - Octobers gemstone Tourmaline are full of passion and are an embodiment of personality and style that has been expressed as a jewel to wear or use since Antiquity in the Southern Asian region. It is said that Dutch importers brought Tourmaline to Central and Western Europe in the early 18th Century.

Blue and Green Tourmaline

Amethyst and Tourmaline Dress Ring with Diamond highlights

Rubellite & Diamond Engagement Ring. Peter Minturn

Luscious berry pink and green tourmaline

A Rainbow Gemstone

Tourmaline is often called the “rainbow gemstone” because it appears in every colour imaginable. Its name comes from the Sinhalese word “touramali,” meaning gemstone. Ancient traders once believed these gems had travelled along rainbows, capturing the rainbow's brilliance within. However, from a scientific perspective, Tourmaline is a crystalline boron silicate mineral that has tiny traces of different elements—iron, lithium, and manganese—working like nature’s own paintbrush to create differing gemstone colours. This is why Tourmaline can appear green, pink, blue, or even display multiple hues in a single crystal.

Tourmaline have been mined across the globe, notably Afghanistan, Brazil, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nigeria, Russia, and USA.

Tourmaline also has piezoelectrical (from pressure), and pyroelectrical (from heat) properties. When charged, one end becomes positive and the other negative it can carry an electrical charge under applied mechanical pressure. This unique feature was known to the Sri Lankans and shared with the Dutch East India Coy traders, and still has practical applications in many modern industries.

This attraction to small particles sometimes means that Tourmaline may require more frequent cleaning care.

Good Vibrations and Protection

Throughout history, Tourmaline has been prized not only for its beauty but also for its energy. Folklore tells us it is a stone of protection and creativity, guarding the wearer against negative energies. Tourmaline is thought to ground the spirit while opening the heart Chakra to love and compassion, bringing its electrical energies to the centre of your being to create a wholesome energy to flow.

Tourmaline Treasures

While all Tourmalines are delightful drops of colour, some varieties are especially treasured by collectors and the elite:

• Rubellite – A vivid pink to red Tourmaline is created by the presence of Manganese. The most desirable have no orange or brown in their colouring.

• Paraiba – It is found in a suite of colours but its green-blue Paraiba are prized rare gem. The neon blue to green glow comes from traces of Copper. Whilst it was first discovered in Paraiba State, Brazil in the late '80's, it was also discovered in Nigeria in 2000, and then Mozambique circa 2005, Paraiba remain a rare and expensive jewel.

As with many gemstones Tourmaline can sometimes be confused for another crystal. The most common misidentified gems are Amethyst, Citrine, Topaz, Morganite, Demantoid, Emerald, Ruby, ang glass imitation gems.

Tourmalines' colours from the rainbow and gem quality material makes it an ideal candidate for custom jewellery designs that stand out.

Amethyst, Tourmaline and Diamond Dress Ring. Minturn Jewellery

If you found my journal note on Tourmalines interesting, we'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Additionally, if you are looking for a quality Tourmaline, we can source Tourmaline from our NZ based gemstone supplier to design a bespoke jewel especially for you.

Reference

• (My favourite little reference book in the whole world! Its always a wonderful way to start thinking about a particular gem I want to explore).

Walter Schmann (1997). Gemstones of the World. Revised & Expanded Edition.

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. New York.