Legendary October Birthstones: Tourmaline and Opal Myths

Legendary October Birthstones: Tourmaline and Opal Myths

The October Birthstones,Tourmaline and Opal are set apart from other birthstones by their dazzling rainbow colors. Rubies, amethysts, emeralds; all of these stones have intense and gorgeous color, but none of them have the diversity of the October birthstones. Perhaps because of their unique coloration, opals and tourmalines are surrounded by myth, superstition, and folklore.
October's Birthstone: Opal, The Fiery Gemstone

October's Birthstone: Opal, The Fiery Gemstone

Opals are the traditional October birthstone. Because each opal is unique in appearance, jewelry pieces featuring opal gemstones are both beautiful and one of a kind. Opals range in color from milky white to deepest blue, punctuated with flashes of every color in the rainbow. Opals display as much fire as diamonds but with dramatic differences. While diamonds seem to radiate cold brilliance, opals emanate warmth and color.
Tourmaline, the Rainbow Gemstone

Tourmaline, the Rainbow Gemstone

Rubies are red, emeralds are green. What the heck color is tourmaline?

The tourmaline gemstone comes in many colors, often in the same stone. Its very name means mixed stone: "tura mali" from the Singhalese phrase "stone mixed with vibrant colors." Red, pink, peach, orange, yellow, brown, green, blue, purple, even black -- tourmaline is one of the most versatile gemstones, appearing in a variety of shades. Bi-color and tri-color stones are especially prized for jewelry. One of the more popular variations is the "watermelon tourmaline," with pink, green, and white color bands appearing naturally in the same stone.

June 05, 2015 — SWCreations Jewelry
Octobers Birthstone: Spooky Tales of Pink Tourmaline

Octobers Birthstone: Spooky Tales of Pink Tourmaline

There are two October birthstones: opals and pink tourmaline. But while opals are more famous and certainly have their charm, pink tourmaline’s spooky qualities make it the perfect birthstone for the month in which we revel in ghost stories and the supernatural.

You see, pink tourmaline shares a unique quality with all tourmaline gemstones—it’s pyroelectric and piezoelectric. That means that when heated or put under pressure, tourmaline gemstones take on an electric charge and can actually pull things towards them. If you vigorously rub and warm up your pink tourmaline birthstone jewelry, it can “magically” attract nearby bits of paper and dust. It might even make the hairs on your arm stand on end!