Tourmaline - A Different Birthstone for October

Sure, we all know that opal was determined to be the official birthstone for October by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912, but how many know that TOURMALINE was chosen as a co-equal birthstone?  Not many, unfortunately. 

Tourmaline is a fantastic jewel.  The name comes from the Sri Lankan language and means “stone of many colors.”  An ancient legend says that tourmaline got its color by traveling through the rainbow, gathering all the colors found there as it passed through.   How true that is.   This gemstone ranges in color from deep almost opaque deep green to a translucent raspberry red.  

Because of the many colors found in this wonderful gemstone, it is very versatile.  It is the perfect accessory for most colors and styles of clothing, and can easily go from morning to evening, from a formal affair to a sports event.