Gemstone Chatoyant
Tourmaline – October's Gemstone of a Hundred Hues
Tourmaline is a semi-precious gemstone frequently incorporated into some of the most modern, beautiful handmade jewelry in the world. It is found in a wide selection of colors and shades, and is widely recognized as the October birthstone as well as the Zodiac Sign of Leo and the 8th anniversary gemstone. But beyond its modern-day uses and associations, tourmaline holds a decadent mythological, spiritual and etymological history that adds nostalgic value to its already strong aesthetic worth. Read on for more information that will help you fall in love with your tourmaline jewelry – or inspire you to buy some today!
The name Tourmaline comes from the Singhalese expression "tura mali," which means the "stone of mixed colors." Tourmalines are also known as the "chameleon stone," because they display a vast array of colors that are similar to several other colored stones. For example, Rubelite Tourmaline is named after its ruby red raspberry color.
Some Tourmalines can display two or more colors at the same time, such as watermelon tourmaline--pink on the inside, rimmed with green, exactly like the fruit itself! There are also varieties of Tourmalines that display Color Change when exposed to different lighting, exhibiting the phenomena chatoyancy. Around 1500 BC, A Spanish conquistador confused a green Tourmaline Crystal for an Emerald. In 1800, scientists realized that the tourmaline was a different species altogether.
Tourmaline gemstones look best as parts of formal evening jewelry when darker hued stones are paired with diamonds, quartz or pearls. More casual combinations include softer contrasts of green tourmaline with Rose Quartz; or blue tourmaline with green peridot; pink tourmaline with light aquamarine; yellow tourmaline with ruby. To see a selection of handmade artisan jewelry featuring tourmaline, click here. Tourmaline is typically considered a sophisticated gemstone that works well with any outfit. In earrings, tourmaline colors can be chosen to enhance the luster of blue, green or hazel eyes.
Tourmaline gemstones are believed to promote balance, love, friendship, and protection, in addition to physical healing and instill wealth for the wearer. Tourmalines are found in Brazil, and Afghanistan, in addition to Myanmar, India and Kenya, just to name a few.
Mohs' Hardness score is based on a 10 point scale where 10 is the most resistant, like a diamond, and 1 is easily scratched, such as Talc. Tourmaline gets a score of 7-7.5, meaning that it is quite scratch resistant and therefore suitable as a component of everyday jewelry. Tourmaline gemstones should be regularly cleaned by a professional or with a soft rag and mild soap and water. Other methods, including ultra-sonic clenares, solvents and harsh chemicals should be avoided when cleaning your handcrafted jewelry as exposure to these elements can damage semi-precious and precious gemstones and pearls.
Learn more about all semi-precious gemstones, including amethyst, apatite, Black Onyx, blue topaz, carnelian, chalcedony, citrine, coral, garnet, white topaz, crystal, diamond, emerald, iolite, jade, Labradorite, moonstone, pearl, peridot, prehnite, rose quarz, ruby, sapphire, smokey topaz, tanzanite, tourmaline and tourquoise when you check out this gemstone chart.
About the Author
Sarah Stephens is the Fashion Director for Dasha Boutique. Visit our online shop today, featuring hundreds of handmade jewelry designs. Customize orders ship in 3 business days. Dasha Boutique is featured in Lucky, InStyle, People, Bridal Guide and Brides.
Jerry Sisk on Phenom Gems
 |
 63oz Natural Rough gold red Pietersite GemstoneChatoyant107 $39.99 Time Remaining: 5d 22h 57m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 Buy It Now |
 CHATOYANT Tigers Eye Gem Stone 45 MM Crystal Ball CRYSTAL SPHERE $26.56 (18 Bids) Time Remaining: 18h 54m |
 CHATOYANT TIGERS EYE GEM STONE 45 MM CRYSTAL Ball Crystal SPHERE $8.46 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 18h 51m |
 58 oz Rough gold Red Pietersite GemstoneChatoyantgem 385 $36.99 Time Remaining: 6d 3h 13m Buy It Now for only: $36.99 Buy It Now |
 Three gold red Pietersite gem cabochonChatoyantGem 093 $9.99 Time Remaining: 4h 4m |
 Chatoyant Flashes Golden Rainbow Calcite Gemstone Sphere Crystal Ball $16.50 Time Remaining: 11d 2h 42m Buy It Now for only: $16.50 Buy It Now |
 Rare red Tigereye gemstone Beads Hand chainChatoyant $9.99 Time Remaining: 2h 13m |
 Four Gold red Blue Pietersite gem cabochon RingsChatoyantCAB 657 $16.99 Time Remaining: 21h 49m |
 45oz polished blue Pietersite GemstoneChatoyant $18.99 Time Remaining: 12d 1h 44m Buy It Now for only: $18.99 Buy It Now |
 925 Silver gold red Pietersite Gem Cabochon PendantChatoyant 743 $9.99 Time Remaining: 4h 6m |
 997lb Huge Chatoyant GOLD Pietersite Gemstone Crystal POINT $177.77 Time Remaining: 18d 8h 17m Buy It Now for only: $177.77 Buy It Now |
 25oz Natural Rough gold red blue Pietersite GemstoneChatoyant411 $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 45m |
 Very Rare CHATOYANT MALACHITE CHRYSOCOLLA GEMSTONE $22.00 Time Remaining: 2d 13m |
 Sunstone Rough MineralChatoyant Gem Stone b8782 $8.99 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 43m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 Buy It Now |
 22oz Natural Rough gold red Pietersite GemstoneChatoyant416 $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 40m |
 85oz Natural Rough gold red blue Pietersite GemstoneChatoyant $46.99 Time Remaining: 9d 2h 37m Buy It Now for only: $46.99 Buy It Now |
 36oz Natural Rough gold red Pietersite GemstoneChatoyantk280 $7.99 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 53m |
 90g Cabochon Chatoyant Labradorite Gemstone $28.20 Time Remaining: 25d 4h 41m Buy It Now for only: $28.20 Buy It Now |
 Vintage Hand Carved Natural Gemstone Chatoyant Labradorite Pig $10.00 Time Remaining: 18h 27m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 Buy It Now |
 120g Chatoyant LABRADORITE Slab Gemstone $6.99 Time Remaining: 2d 2h 40m |
 Tiger Eye ChatoyantGemstone hand string Bead Bracelet $24.95 Time Remaining: 5d 4h 45m Buy It Now for only: $24.95 Buy It Now |
 36mm Pietersite Petersite Gemstone Chatoyant Crystal Cab Gem $39.99 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 53m Buy It Now for only: $69.99 Buy It Now |
 Chatoyant Gold Sunstone Rough MineralGem Stone c0229 $9.99 Time Remaining: 6d 4h 3m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now |
 A+ Chatoyant SUPERB LABRADORITE Gemstone Crystal Cat $69.99 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 35m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 Buy It Now |
 51oz Natural Rough gold red Pietersite GemstoneChatoyantk221 $8.99 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 18m |
 Four Gold red Pietersite gem cabochon RingsChatoyantCAB 606 $14.99 Time Remaining: 29d 19h 47m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 Buy It Now |
 Natural gold red pietersite GemstoneChatoyant $9.90 Time Remaining: 3d 21h 26m |
 06LB Rough gold red Pietersite GemstoneChatoyant $36.99 Time Remaining: 5d 2h 16m Buy It Now for only: $36.99 Buy It Now |
 47oz Rough gold red Pietersite GemstoneChatoyant $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 46m |
 Chatoyant Red Tigers Eye Crystal Gemstone Gem $9.99 Time Remaining: 4d 2h 35m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 Buy It Now |
 Three Gold red Pietersite gem cabochon RingsChatoyantCAB 710 $16.99 Time Remaining: 29d 3h 27m Buy It Now for only: $16.99 Buy It Now |
 Pietersite Petersite Gemstone Chatoyant Crystal Gem $19.99 Time Remaining: 2d 3h 7m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 Buy It Now |
 Russian Charoite Gorgeous PURPLE Chatoyant Gemstone Sphere Ball $150.00 Time Remaining: 9d 1h 16m Buy It Now for only: $150.00 Buy It Now |
 Pietersite Gemstone CabochonChatoyant Gem CAB Pendant $14.90 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 23m |
 Cabochon Chatoyant LABRADORITE Gemstone $23.50 Time Remaining: 19d 8h 49m Buy It Now for only: $23.50 Buy It Now |
 135oz Rough gold Red Pietersite Gemstone Mineral SpecimenChatoyantgem 001 $289.99 Time Remaining: 1d 46m |
 38 oz Rough gold Red Pietersite GemstoneChatoyantgem 402 $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 37m |
 45oz Polished Red blue Pietersite GemstoneChatoyant $15.99 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 55m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 Buy It Now |
 Sunstone Rough MineralChatoyant Gem Stone b8791 $9.99 Time Remaining: 2d 2h 36m |
 Blue Kyanite PendantChatoyant Rainbow Gem Stone b4158 $18.99 Time Remaining: 6d 4h 3m Buy It Now for only: $18.99 Buy It Now |
 26oz Rough gold Red Pietersite GemstoneChatoyantgem 409 $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 25m |
 18 oz Rough gold Red Pietersite GemstoneChatoyantgem 601 $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 28m |
 Chatoyant Gold Sunstone Rough MineralGem Stone c0207 $9.99 Time Remaining: 19d 1h 8m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now |
 925 Silver gold red Pietersite Gem PendantChatoyant 021 $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 42m |
 Tigers Eye Tigereye Beads BraceletChatoyantGemstone $16.77 Time Remaining: 2d 11h 52m Buy It Now for only: $16.77 Buy It Now |
 A+ Chatoyant SUPERB Blue LABRADORITE Gemstone Frog $39.99 Time Remaining: 3d 2h 13m Buy It Now for only: $69.99 Buy It Now |
 25oz Rough Gold Red Pietersite Gemstone Mineral SpecimenChatoyantgem 403 $9.99 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 56m |
 43oz Natural Rough gold red blue Pietersite GemstoneChatoyant082 $26.99 Time Remaining: 8d 3h 46m Buy It Now for only: $26.99 Buy It Now |
 08oz Rough Gold Red Pietersite Gemstone Mineral SpecimenChatoyantgem 719 $9.99 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 38m |
 Tigers Eye Chatoyant Gemstone Bracelet red yellow $28.95 Time Remaining: 5d 4h 45m Buy It Now for only: $28.95 Buy It Now |
 A+ Chatoyant SUPERB LABRADORITE Gemstone Crystal Birds $49.99 Time Remaining: 4d 2h 16m Buy It Now for only: $79.99 Buy It Now |
 Tigers Eye Bracelet 01 Stretch 15mm Facet Cut Golden Brown Chatoyant Crystal 6" Sale Price: $50.00 See Reviews For This Product DescriptionGolden Tigers Eye stones are strung on your new crystal healing bracelet! These are large chatoyant (iridescent) stones, faceted for brilliance and strung on double stretch cord for easy wear.  |
 Tigers Eye Bracelet 09 Stretch Rectangle Golden Brown Chatoyant Crystal 7.8" Sale Price: $40.00 See Reviews For This Product DescriptionNatural Tigers Eye is set on your new crystal healing bracelet. These are genuine chatoyant golden brown stones strung with metallic beads on quality stretch cord. |
 Tigers Eye Bracelet 04 Stretch 20mm Green Wood Brown Stone Chatoyant 7" Sale Price: $30.00 See Reviews For This Product DescriptionNatural Tigers Eye and Wood is strung on your new crystal healing bracelet. These are chatoyant red Tigers Eye stones and painted green Wood beads on double stretch cord. |
 Aventurine Bracelet 05 Stretch Tigers Eye Brown Green Abundance Stone 6.5" Sale Price: $20.00 See Reviews For This Product DescriptionNatural Aventurine and Tigers Eye are strung on your new crystal healing bracelet. These are rough green Aventurine (not perfect orbs) and iridescent golden brown Tigers Eye stones. The crystals are strung with a golden accent bead on double stretch cord. |
 Quartz Bracelet 03 Stretch Tigers Eye Brown Snow White Crystal Healing Stone Sale Price: $30.00 See Reviews For This Product DescriptionNatural Quartz and Tigers Eye is strung on your new crystal healing bracelet. These are snow white Quartz and chatoyant brown Tigers Eye stones strung on double stretch cord for easy wear. |
Tags: cats, chatoyant, crocidolite, cymophane, gemstone, replacement
This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 at 3:11 pm and is filed under Metaphysical. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.