Pink tourmaline is the birthstone of the month of October. Due to the stone’s resemblance to the ruby, tourmaline has often been misclassified.
The mineralogy of tourmaline is actually quite interesting. It’s a silicate mineral that derives its color from boron and other trace minerals in its crystal matrix. Tourmaline can vary significantly in hardness and color, but what distinguishes it mineralogically is that it has so-call piezoelectric properties. That is, it can acquire an electric charge if rubbed. This fascinating property occurs as a result of the polarity of the mineral’s crystal structure.
October Birthstone - Pink Tourmaline
Thanks to its unique piezoelectric property, pink tourmaline has often wowed people who have discovered stones “in the wild.” Lacking an understanding of the science of mineral structure, ancients often believed tourmaline was magical.
According to lore, tourmaline could heal indigestion, improve unconscious awareness, manage fear, and help people recover from emotional trauma. Some homeopathic therapists use tourmaline crystals to try to get their patients to open up about relationship problems and encourage more flexible thinking about life’s problems.
Native Americans tribes, societies in Africa, and the Chinese have collected tourmaline for thousands of years. (The Chinese actually crafted vessels for tobacco out of the mineral.) That said, the “Western world” discovered pink tourmaline only around 300 years or so ago.
If you’re searching for a special gift for someone born in October, we at Celtic Wedding Rings invite you to look over our top-quality selection of rings and jewels.
Tags: birth stone, celtic, claddagh
