October, the tenth month of the year, is when all the parched landscapes prepare to depart for the new lush greens to take over. It is also the time when there is a slight transition from extreme summers to dense winters with a gradual fall in the temperatures which could be thought of as a pleasant beginning of the new season. Likewise, in the expanding universe of gems and jewelry, the month of October is quite blessed to have an iridescent-hued tourmaline in its store.
Reasons Why Tourmaline is Perfect & Favored
If you are wondering how this October gemstone is any different from other cross-colored stones like sapphire, then we have enlisted some of the reasons why you should give tourmaline a thought before buying any colored gemstone:
Chemical Composition
The word ‘tourmaline’ comes from the Sinhala language term ‘toramalli’ which represents carnelian stones. Tourmaline is formed when boron is combined with other chemical elements like potassium, magnesium, lithium, iron, sodium, or aluminum which offers a wide spectrum of colors to this exquisite gemstone. Those rich in magnesium display brown to yellow hues while those having traces of iron come with bluish-blackish and deep brownish colors.
Tourmaline Formation & Reserves
Tourmalines are present in metamorphic rocks, granite, and granite pegmatites along with conglomerate and sandstone in which it is present as granules. Tourmaline-rich mines are located in Brazil, Pakistan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, India, the United States, and several African countries.
Introducing Spectacular Color Palette
Tourmalines are most commonly found in the form of crystals which are parallel and elongated prism or column-shaped and are mostly black in color. Apart from this, there exist other color varieties of the stone such as orange, red, brown, yellow, blue, green, violet, and most coveted pink tourmalines.
Multi-chromatic Tourmaline Crystals
One amusing fact about tourmaline is that it could even exhibit two or three colors together in the same crystal in a way that the outer part has one color while the inner part has another or one part of the crystal exhibits one color while the other end displays another. An instance of such a tourmaline is a crystal with pink and green shades that is known by the name “watermelon tourmaline”.
Subjected to Heat Treatment
To enrich their colors, pink or red-hued tourmalines are subjected to heat treatment. Excessively dark-colored stones are made lighter and the extremely pale ones are made more vibrant in color by exposing them to electron beams or gamma rays. Also, stones with excess inclusions are treated to enhance their quality though their cost is much less than an equally clear untreated tourmaline.
Financial Affairs
Since tourmalines are readily available, their prices are reasonably low, especially for smaller carat stones. Only those with large stone sizes and rich colors cost a bit over the top. Stones with pure blue, yellow, purple, red, and orange colors are prized more for their rarity. Similarly, those with color-shifting properties command hefty prices.
Chatoyant (Cat’s Eye) Tourmaline
Some inclusions present in cabochon tourmalines display a collection of dense tube-like structures and are accepted for their rare effect while the flawed ones are often rejected over the clean ones. Such tourmalines are referred to by the adjective “chatoyant” which means minerals displaying a “cat’s eye” effect. When a chatoyant tourmaline is carved as a cabochon, the cat’s eye is visible.
Different Species of Official October Birthstone
You could buy October birthstones in multiple varieties, each of which is known by a distinct name. For instance, “rubellite” is the name given to bright red tourmalines while blue ones are referred to as “indicolite”. The black species are called “schorl” while green-hued tourmalines are sold as “chrome tourmaline” and there exist several others on the list.
“Paraiba” tourmaline is one of the most famous and sought-after species with vibrant bluish to greenish hues, found in the Brazilian state of Paraiba in the late 1980s. The violet-colored species were also discovered later and these gems became popular for having “neon” and “electric” shades.
Spiritual Symbolism & Significance
Tourmalines are a great source of creativity, wisdom, and positivism. They could inculcate feelings of love, healing, compassion, and companionship in individuals wearing them. So a tourmaline is the best gift you could offer to your loved ones born in the month of October or under the zodiac sign Libra.
Conclusion
The phenomenal characteristics and shades of extravagant tourmalines are sure to leave a distinguished impression on its beholders. So, in case you have also found this October birthstone appealing, you could browse online October birthstone on the official website of GemsNY and get some exciting offers on the deals.
