TOURMALINE - is a gem of modern times, but nonetheless has found its way to the list of birthstones, becoming an "alternate birthstone" for October.

Tourmaline is the family name which includes the following varieties; chrome (green), indicolite (blue), rubelite (red), dravite (brown), achroite (colorless), and siberite (reddish-violet). Yellow and green tourmalines are simply called tourmaline with the color as a prefix. There are bicolored tourmalines (half red and the other half green, for example) and tricolored (one-third blue, one-third green, and one-third yet another color). The fascinating "watermelon" tourmaline looks just like the inside of a watermelon-red in the center surrounded by a green "rind."

Tourmaline is a fairly hard,durable, brilliant, and very wearable stone with a wide choice of colours. Tourmaline is also of interest to scientists because it changes its electrical charge when heated. It becomes a polarized crystalline magnet and can attract light objects. This property was noticed long ago before science could explain it: in the Netherlands, tourmalines were called "aschentrekkers" because they attracted ashes and could be used to clean pipes!

Tourmalines are most often cut in long rectangular shapes because of their long and narrow crystal shape. Tourmaline crystals are beautiful, pencil thin and ridged, and they are also sometimes set in jewelry. Some designers also set rainbows of tourmaline in each color of the spectrum. Tourmaline is strongly pleochroic: the darkest color is always seen looking down the axis of the crystal.

In addition to Brazil, tourmaline is also mined in Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and California and Maine in the United States. Maine produces beautiful sherbet colors of tourmaline and spectacular minty greens. California is known for perfect pinks, as well as beautiful bicolors.

Tourmaline is the protection stone. Wards off fear and negativity and protects on all levels. Enhances inspiration and encourages self-confidence and understanding. The different coloured tourmalines are wonderful stones to use with the corresponding chakras so it is not surprising that in this day and age many people are drawn to tourmalines. Pink Tourmaline promotes female balance and protection. Green Tourmaline promotes male balance. According to legend, all colors of tourmaline protect the wearer against many dangers and misfortune.