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Tourmaline the Birthstone of October

Tourmaline are most known for displaying several colors within the same gemstone. Those of them with very clear color distinctions are highly prized stones. One more popular version of this is the watermelon tourmaline with bands of color resembling its name sake. As with other gemstones it is the impurities that give Tourmaline their color. Iron and Titanium cause green and blue coloring, manganese produces reds, pinks, and yellows.

Most Tourmaline are found in the Americas though there are deposits around the globe. The most notable mines are in Brazil, California, and Maine. Tourmaline were discovered in the 1500’s by Spanish conquistadors in the Americas but they were originally mistaken for emeralds. It was not until the 1800’s that Tourmaline were recognized as a distinct mineral species. Although tourmaline are touted as an America gemstone they were most popular in China until their economic collapse in 1912 which nearly whipped out the tourmaline market.

Tourmaline has some very interesting characteristics as a mineral, it is both Pyroelectric and Piezoelectric, meaning that it generates an electric current under heat and under pressure. Piezoelectric materials have been and are being experimented with as alternative energy sources to harness the energy of crowds of people moving about. One foot step can produce enough energy to power a pair of light bulbs for a couple seconds.

Here are a few beautiful Tourmaline for your enjoyment.

California Tourmaline. San Diego County's famed tourmaline mines - including the Tourmaline Queen, Tourmaline King, Stewart, Pala Chief and Himalaya - produced the 12 crystals and four cut gems on display. One of the earliest reports of tourmaline in California was in 1892 in association with lepidolite mining. Much of the pink and red tourmaline from California was shipped to China because the Chinese Dowager Empress Tz'u Hsi was especially fond of the color. There, craftsmen carved the tourmaline into snuff bottles and other pieces to be set in jewelry. One of the crystal specimens on display was a gift from tycoon, collector and morganite namesake J.P. Morgan to Andrew Carnegie.
California Tourmaline. San Diego County’s famed tourmaline mines – including the Tourmaline Queen, Tourmaline King, Stewart, Pala Chief and Himalaya – produced the 12 crystals and four cut gems on display. One of the earliest reports of tourmaline in California was in 1892 in association with lepidolite mining. Much of the pink and red tourmaline from California was shipped to China because the Chinese Dowager Empress Tz’u Hsi was especially fond of the color. There, craftsmen carved the tourmaline into snuff bottles and other pieces to be set in jewelry. One of the crystal specimens on display was a gift from tycoon, collector and morganite namesake J.P. Morgan to Andrew Carnegie.
Tourmaline, Maine (top left-7.01 cts, top right-7.57 cts, center-3.96 cts, bottom left-5.61 cts, bottom right-5.95 cts)
Tourmaline, Maine (top left-7.01 cts, top right-7.57 cts, center-3.96 cts, bottom left-5.61 cts, bottom right-5.95 cts)
GIA collection# 23771. Tourmaline group from Himalaya mine, Mesa Grande, CA, USA. Gift of William F. Larson.
GIA collection# 23771. Tourmaline group from Himalaya mine, Mesa Grande, CA, USA. Gift of William F. Larson.
This 376.85-carat tourmaline in the collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is carved by O. Hansen, using the colors of the tourmaline as part of the design.
This 376.85-carat tourmaline in the collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is carved by O. Hansen, using the colors of the tourmaline as part of the design.

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