Ten Fun Facts about Tourmaline

Tourmaline is a gorgeous, interesting gemstone. In 1812 the National Association of Jewelers included tourmaline as October’s birthstone. Prior to that, October’s birthstone was opal. Here are ten more facts about this beauty:

1. Name Origin: The name "tourmaline" comes from the Sinhalese word "toramalli," which means "mixed gems." This name reflects the gemstone's wide variety of colors.
2. Mohs Scale: Tourmaline is a 7-7.5 on the Mohs Scale and its relatively resistant to chemical weathering.
3. Color Spectrum: Tourmaline is one of the most colorful gemstones, occurring in virtually every hue. Some tourmaline crystals even exhibit multiple colors within a single stone, a phenomenon known as "polychromism."
4. Rubellite Discovery: In the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors found bright red tourmaline in Brazil and initially mistook it for rubies. This variety of tourmaline is known as "rubellite."
5. Maine Tourmaline: The first significant discovery of tourmaline in the United States occurred in 1821 in the state of Maine. Maine is still known for producing high-quality tourmaline, particularly in pink and green colors.
6. Paraíba Tourmaline: One of the most prized types of tourmaline is the neon blue-green Paraíba tourmaline, discovered in the late 1980s in the Brazilian state of Paraíba. Its vivid color is due to trace amounts of copper and manganese.
   
   
7. Watermelon Tourmaline: This unique variety of tourmaline has a pink center and green outer edge, resembling a watermelon. It is highly valued for its distinct and natural color pattern.
   
   
8. Historical Use: Tourmaline has been used as a gemstone for centuries. Ancient Egyptians believed it traveled along a rainbow, picking up all its colors. It was also popular in ancient China, where Empress Dowager Cixi was particularly fond of pink tourmaline.
9. Electrical Polarity: When heated or rubbed, tourmaline crystals can become electrically polarized, with one end becoming positively charged and the other negatively charged. 
10. Gemological Significance: Tourmaline's complex and varied crystal structure makes it a fascinating subject for gemologists. It belongs to a large family of boron silicate minerals, and its composition can include elements such as aluminum, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, or potassium.

Gemstone facts are fun, and they give the consumer a better idea of why some gems are so valuable or sought after. If you like these gemstone facts check out some facts about Opals, the other October birthstone.