October: Tourmaline Next Previous Tourmaline Your horoscope can often subscribe to plenty of personal characteristics. For some, it can provide insight as to their inner selves and subconscious needs and wants. For others, it’s a way to rationalize sending that risky text message, or buying a brand new couch. However, with all the waxing poetic to be had in Capricorn moons and Leo suns, some would prefer a more concrete, tangible method of finding themselves. Some would say Birthstones are the literal crystallization of the months in a year. Originating from the bible, In Exodus 28, Moses creates a special breastplate for Aaron, the High Priest of the Hebrews. Specifically, the breastplate was to contain twelve precious gemstones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. These twelve stones were later assigned to the Zodiac, and as a result, became symbolic for all twelve months, respectively. You could name your zodiac and horoscope, and the features that come with the assignment, but every birthstone possesses unique traits and personality themselves. Have you ever asked yourself if you’re as steadfast as a ruby? Or as richly reflective as a diamond? Let’s find out! How similar are you to your birthstone? October: Tourmaline https://www.lugaro.com/shop/brazilian-tourmaline-and-canadian-diamond-pendant-in-white-gold/ Tourmaline was first discovered by conquistadors in Brazil, in the 1500s, though they had no idea, as this exclusively green specimen was mistaken for Emerald- quite like this 2.60 carat emerald cut tourmaline, accented by 0.12 carat total weight round brilliant cut diamonds- and so the discovery was not considered anything of note. Even many years later, in the mid 1600s, Tourmaline made another appearance off the coast of Italy. But these pink and red varieties of the gemstone were mistaken for Rubies. Tourmaline wasn’t identified as its own mineral species until 200 years later, in the 1800s. The process of Tourmaline’s formation is a curious one. Though the range of produced colours is standard – most commonly; black, gray, brown, green and pink – Tourmaline’s true uniqueness is in the form and function of these colours. During the development of the crystals, gradients and bi-colourism can occur in fascinating sequences, sometimes a straight-forward dual-tone with green on one end morphing to pink on the other, or – interestingly – green on the outside and pink on the inside! This particular colour variation is known, appropriately, as Watermelon Tourmaline. It is incredibly desirable in the jewelry industry for its stark uniqueness and rarity, second only to Paraiba Tourmaline, a brilliant neon blue-green species only discovered some 40 years ago in Paraiba, Brazil. Tourmaline is widely regarded as one of the best healing stones in history. It is said to put a shield around a person, preventing negative influence and bad energy from entering one’s mind, and is even believed to have the ability to convert self-doubt and self-consciousness into understanding, self-confidence and courage. If Tourmaline is your birthstone, you are universally interesting. Somebody, somewhere is talking about you in the same way you’d gush about your celebrity crush, but an obscure celebrity crush (like Dave Grohl, Saoirse Ronan, or Alfred Molina). You are difficult to bring down, and it’s nearly impossible to get under your skin. Anyone in your presence feels safer, more at ease, and those who know you know you’ll only find good things to tell anyone not having the best day. You also have one of those faces, and have been mistaken for somebody else on multiple occasions. Written by Annahis Basmadjian Lugaro’s Uncut Gem