Tourmaline is the gem of intuition and creativity. Tourmaline is named from the Sinhalese tura mali, which means "mixed stone." Available in a rainbow of colors and color combinations, tourmaline lives up to its name. Legend says tourmaline inspires artistic expression. Certainly this gem inspires designers to create jewelry to suit every mood.
In addition to uniquely varied beauty, tourmaline has unusual electrical properties. Crystals acquire a polarized charge when heated or compressed.
October's birthstone and the 8th anniversary gem, tourmaline crystals have unusual electrical potential: crystals acquire a polarized electrical charge when heated or compressed. This property has made tourmaline the latest miracle ingredient in moisturizers: manufacturers claim the gem helps pull pollutants from your skin.
Pink tourmaline was an obsession for the last empress of China, who slept on a pink tourmaline pillow to inspire good dreams. The empress set off a tourmaline rush in the San Diego area at the turn of the century, buying tons of California pink tourmaline for her court. Today, most pink tourmaline comes from Brazil.
Green tourmaline has a restful green color that blends well with other gems, just as green leaves make the flowers around them more lush. Green tourmaline jewelry will complement all the colors in your wardrobe too. Gemvara's green tourmaline from Brazil is the pure green of the garden, blending well with both warm and cool tones.
Tourmaline is durable and suitable for everyday wear. Clean with mild dish soap: use a soft brush behind the stone where dust can collect.