Those born in October have not one, but two choices when it comes to their birthstone. Both opal and tourmaline are recognized as the official gemstones for October birthdays. For this week’s blog, we’re going to highlight some fascinating facts about tourmaline.

• There are multi-colored tourmalines (including a gorgeous watermelon tourmaline) where two or more colors appear side by side in the same gemstone.
• It is the chosen gift for the 8^th wedding anniversary.
• Considered a gemstone of enlightenment and resolution.
• Believed to foster compassion, composure and reflection.
• According to an ancient Egyptian legend, tourmaline passed over a rainbow on its long journey up from the center of the Earth. This is why it is still referred to as the” gemstone of the rainbow” today.
• Said to render relationships firm and long-lasting, it is the gemstone of love and friendship.
• They can become electrically charged when they are heated and then allowed to cool. In fact the Dutch used a heated tourmaline to draw up the ash from their meerschaum pipes. They called the gemstone with the amazing powers an “aschentrekker.”

To view our tourmaline jewelry collection, click here. And for information on October’s other birthstone, opal, click here.