Pink Tourmaline

Tourmalines, a gem that is mined all over the world, display a spectrum of color. The ancient Egyptians believed the gem originate in the heart of the earth and traveled to the sun on the back of a rainbow. The word itself is from Sri Lanka, where much tourmaline is mined. In Signhalese, "tura mali" means "multi color gem."

The complex color of the gem is determined by the complex mix of aluminum borosilicate or in the greener shades, the amount of chromium. Pink tourmaline is said to assist in healing, friendship and love. It is the birthstone for October.