Available in a spectrum of colors and color combinations, tourmaline lives up to its name, which means "mixed stone." Ancient legend says that it is found in all colors because it traveled along a rainbow and gathered all the rainbow's colors.
Tourmaline is also known for displaying several colors in one gemstone. These bi-color or tri-color gems are formed in many combinations and are highly prized. One multi-color variety is known as Watermelon Tourmaline, resembling its namesake, the gemstone is cut into thin slices having a pink center, white ring, and green edge. With a rainbow of colors, Tourmaline can easily enhance any jewelry collection.
People have used tourmaline as a gem for centuries, but before the development of modern mineralogy, they identified it as some other stone (ruby, sapphire, emerald, and so forth) based on its coloring. It made its way into the commercial gem industry in 1876 when George Kunz sold a green tourmaline gem to the famous Tiffany and Co. In the ensuing years, tourmaline gained great popularity as a gemstone.
Tourmalines are believed to strengthen the body and spirit, especially the nervous system; and are also thought to inspire creativity.
The name opal derives from the Greek Opallos, meaning "to see a change (of color)." In ancient times, it was known as the Queen of Gems because it encompassed the colors of all other gems.
This kaleidoscopic gem encompassed the red of ruby, the green of emerald, the yellow of topaz, the blue of sapphire, and the purple of amethyst. An opal's beauty is the product of contrast between its color play and its background - and it ranges from milky white to black with flashes of yellow, orange, green, red, and blue. Each opal is truly one-of-a-kind; as unique as our fingerprints. As you turn and move the opal, its color plays and shifts, giving you a gem that can be worn with a plethora of ensembles.
Many cultures have credited opal with supernatural origins and powers; Arabic legends say it falls from the heavens in flashes of lightning. In the era of Art Deco the opals experienced their flourishing, with contemporary gemstone artists preferring them over all other stones because of their subdued charm.
Opals are believed to guard its owner from disease; and are associated with hope, purity, and truth.