We welcome October with one of the month’s two gemstones: the tourmaline*.
Tourmalines, rich in aluminum, magnesium, sodium, lithium and potassium, come in a wide variety of colors including black or multi-colored specimens—like the “Watermelon Tourmaline” which is pink at one end and green at the other. They were mined in Sri Lanka and brought to Europe by the Dutch East India Company in the 17th and 18th Centuries. They also have been mined in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Africa and Brazil.
New Age practitioners claim that the semi-precious stone will detoxify the human body, reduce stress, and have a beneficial effect on the nervous system. Jewelers promote the sales of tourmalines as an eighth wedding anniversary gift.
The ceramic rosebowl, pictured above, was designed and crafted by Roseville in the 1930’s as a part of their “Tourmaline” line of art pottery—which, naturally, came in a variety of colorways ($395). Please come into the shop to see it in-person or call us for further information.
Welcome October!
* – October’s other birthstone is the opal.