In 1500’s Brazil, a conquistador mistakenly identified a dusty green tourmaline as emerald. This confusion lived on until the 1800’s, when gem identification became sophisticated enough to identify it as a mineral species of its own. Tourmaline comes in such a wide variety of colors that it earned the name “tourmaline” from the Sinhalese word for “mixed gems”.
Origins: Various
MOHs Hardness: 7-7.5
Care: Although tourmalines are sturdy, they are not invincible and can break: avoid dropping them onto hard surfaces. To clean your tourmaline jewelry, soak in warm, soapy water and remove any dirt with a toothbrush or the like. Do not use an ultrasonic of steam cleaner.
Attributes : healing, strength, vitality, wholeness
Birthstone : October
Anniversary : 8th