A World of Color: Discover the Beauty of Colorful Tourmaline Jewelry
With October just around the corner, it's the perfect time to celebrate a gemstone that’s as vibrant and versatile as the season itself—tourmaline, a personal favorite of mine for its dazzling array of colors and captivating beauty. Tourmaline is an October birthstone, and its vivid colors and unique properties make it a perfect addition to any jewelry collection. While tourmaline comes in many shades, it’s the green and blue tourmaline jewelry that truly inspires my creativity - but I also can't resist pink and watermelon tourmaline!
At Marilyn Brogan Jewelry, I find that tourmaline’s versatility and color variety give me endless design possibilities. Whether you're looking for a striking birthstone piece or something special to reflect your personality, tourmaline has so much to offer. In this post, I’ll share why I’m so captivated by tourmaline, especially when it’s cut into the striking geometric shapes that inspire my designs.
Why I Love Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a fascinating gemstone that naturally forms in a wide array of colors, from pink and red to yellow, green, and blue. It’s said that no two tourmaline crystals are exactly alike, which means that each piece of tourmaline jewelry I design is one-of-a-kind.
But my favorite varieties? Without a doubt, blue tourmaline jewelry and green tourmaline jewelry. These shades have a natural elegance that feels both timeless and modern. Blue tourmaline (also known as indicolite) ranges from a deep oceanic blue to a lighter, sky-blue hue. Green tourmaline, on the other hand, can be as soft as mint or as vibrant as forest green. The possibilities with these colors are endless, and I love how they suit different personalities and styles.
Geometric Designs with Tourmaline
One of my signature design elements is incorporating geometric shapes into my jewelry, and tourmaline, with its clarity and clean lines, is the perfect gemstone for these designs. There's something truly magical about pairing the organic beauty of tourmaline with the structured elegance of geometric shapes.
I often design pieces featuring fancy shapes, like kite-shaped tourmaline, where the sharp angles highlight the stone's brilliance and vibrant color. These geometric cuts enhance tourmaline's natural beauty by reflecting light in ways that create a striking, dynamic effect.
Tourmaline as October’s Birthstone
October babies, you’re in for a treat with tourmaline jewelry. It’s one of the two birthstones for the month (the other being opal), and it offers such variety that everyone can find a shade they love.
What I appreciate most about tourmaline as a birthstone is how personal it feels. Whether you gravitate toward the calming blues, lively greens, or any other color, tourmaline allows you to choose a hue that speaks to your personality. And because tourmaline is a durable gemstone, it's ideal for everyday wear—so you can carry your birthstone with you year-round.
Tourmaline also carries spiritual and emotional meaning. Many believe that tourmaline promotes balance, protection, and positivity—qualities I think we could all use a little more of as we transition from summer to fall.
My Trusted Source: Tatum Gems
When creating pieces with tourmaline, I rely on trusted sources to ensure my gems are ethically sourced and of the highest quality. Many of the tourmaline gems I use in my designs come from Tatum Gems, a gemstone supplier I deeply admire.
Tatum Gems, founded by lapidarist and gemologist Laura Phillis in Adelaide, South Australia, is known for its colorful, one-of-a-kind natural gems. Laura’s passion for colored gemstones shines through in her work, and I am always impressed by the care and precision she puts into each stone she cuts. Her work is an artistic celebration of the natural world, and she allows the organic shape of the rough stone to guide her creative process.
What sets Tatum Gems apart is not only their focus on high-quality stones but also their commitment to ethical sourcing. Laura and her team take great care in nurturing relationships with suppliers who value transparency and responsible mining practices. For me, this means I can offer you tourmaline jewelry that not only looks stunning but also aligns with values of sustainability and ethical craftsmanship.
I particularly love the geometric shapes Laura creates, which complement my own design style. Her gemstones are truly works of art. Knowing that each stone is cut with such care makes it even more special when I incorporate it into a custom design for my clients.
Tourmaline for Every Occasion
Whether you’re looking for a meaningful gift for someone born in October or simply want to treat yourself to something extraordinary, tourmaline jewelry offers endless possibilities.
Blue tourmaline, with its calming, oceanic tones, is ideal for those who seek a sense of serenity and elegance in their jewelry. It pairs beautifully with gold for a warm, luxurious look or with silver for something more modern and sleek.
Green tourmaline jewelry, on the other hand, is vibrant and full of life. The earthy, natural tones of green tourmaline make it perfect for nature lovers or anyone who enjoys a pop of color. Its versatility means it can be worn as a statement piece or layered with other jewelry for a more subtle effect.
Pink tourmaline is a gemstone of undeniable charm, radiating a soft, romantic allure. Its wide range of hues—from delicate blush tones to vibrant hot pink—offers something for everyone, whether you're drawn to understated elegance or bold color. What I love most about pink tourmaline jewelry is how versatile it is. The stone's feminine and warm glow complements both minimalist designs and more intricate settings, making it perfect for rings, earrings, and pendants alike. Known for its association with love and compassion, pink tourmaline also carries an emotional resonance, making it a meaningful gift or personal keepsake.
If you're looking for something truly unique, watermelon tourmaline is a showstopper. This extraordinary variety of tourmaline gets its name from its stunning natural color gradient, which mirrors the look of a watermelon—green on the outside, pink in the middle, and sometimes with a touch of white. Each slice of watermelon tourmaline is like a miniature masterpiece, showcasing nature’s artistic flair. The beauty of watermelon tourmaline jewelry lies in its playfulness and vibrant color contrast, making it an ideal choice for those who love a statement piece that’s both whimsical and elegant.
Finding Your Perfect Tourmaline Piece
One of the things I love most about tourmaline jewelry is that no two stones are the same. Each one has its own unique personality, much like the people who wear them. Whether you’re drawn to the cool serenity of blue or the vibrant energy of green, tourmaline offers something for everyone. Here are some examples from my collection:
Blue Tourmaline Kite Ring: A sleek 6x4mm kite-shaped blue tourmaline set on a delicate 14k knife-edge band. Whether worn solo for a subtle statement or stacked for a bolder look, this piece effortlessly elevates your style.
Deep Green Tourmaline Ring: When I found this stunning 9x5mm Indicolite tourmaline, I couldn’t resist making another. The rich, deep green of this Afghan-mined stone is even more captivating in person than in photos. Crafted from 18k gold, the bezel-set tourmaline is placed horizontally (East-West), with a knife-edge band to enhance the stone's sharp angles. Cut by the talented team at Tatum Gems in Australia, this ring is truly one-of-a-kind.
Green Tourmaline Kite Ring: A striking 6x4mm kite-shaped green tourmaline set on a slender 14k knife-edge band. Perfect for stacking or making a refined statement on its own, this piece adds a touch of modern elegance to any look.
Looking for something extra special? As October approaches, consider adding a custom tourmaline jewelry piece to your collection. I would love to work with you to design something that reflects your style and tells your story—whether it’s a simple stacking ring, a bold geometric necklace, or a statement-making pair of earrings.
If you’re curious to learn more about my tourmaline designs or want to explore some of the stones I’ve sourced from Tatum Gems, feel free to reach out. Together, we can create something truly one-of-a-kind that celebrates the beauty of tourmaline in all its vibrant shades.