Sometimes pink tourmaline is used as a birthstone for October.

    Tourmaline spans the color spectrum from red to violet and in every tone. It also occurs in color combinations in one stone (bi-colored or tri-colored), which accounts for its popularity. Not only does Tourmaline occur in a spectacular range of colors, but it also combines those colors in a single gemstone called "bi-color" or "parti-color" Tourmaline. One color combination with a pink center and a green outer rim called "watermelon" Tourmaline, is cut in thin slices similar to its namesake.

    They are mined in many parts of the world including Brazil, Afghanistan, East Africa and the United States.

    It takes its name from the Singhalese word turmamali meaning "mixed precious stones" because they were often confused with other gems.