By Kristen Taylor Young
As summer shines brightly, nothing captures its essence quite like a slice of juicy watermelon. Nature, in its remarkable artistry, has mirrored this vibrant fruit in the stunning hues of watermelon tourmaline. This bi- and tri-color gemstone is predicted to captivate jewelry enthusiasts well beyond the summer months. Notably, tourmaline is October’s second birthstone, after opals. Here’s why watermelon tourmaline is becoming a beloved choice among jewelers and consumers alike.
Demand for the multi-color stone has increased in the last few years, confirms Kimberly Collins, owner of Reno, Nev.-based Kimberly Collins Colored Gems and president of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA). Kimberly noted that bi-color tourmaline skinny stack rings and emerald-cut bi-color chunky rings have become bestsellers. Collins sources watermelon tourmalines from Brazil and Africa. 鈥淸The gemstone] forms a cylinder, almost like a tree trunk, and it gets thicker over the course of time,鈥� she explains. 鈥淐utting is very important to get that explosion of colors.鈥�
Just Jules鈥� owner and designer Julie Bergstein Romanenko has also noticed a shift in sentiment toward watermelon tourmalines. 鈥淚鈥檝e always been intrigued with watermelon tourmalines,鈥� she says, noting the multi-color gem was the first stone she ever worked with.
The Scottsdale, Ariz., boutique does extremely well with a watermelon tourmaline charm necklace featuring green-and-pink slices, hung from pave white diamond-encrusted 14k yellow gold bails on a chunky yellow gold chain; a 5.2-carat emerald-cut watermelon tourmaline set in diamonds and a 14k yellow gold shank; and a butterfly pendant called 鈥淭ime Flies,鈥� whose colorful watermelon tourmaline wings flank the inner workings of a vintage watch. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a powerful, metaphysical stone,鈥� says Romanenko. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a stone that represents the heart chakra. There鈥檚 something about a person who connects to that stone.鈥�
To find the watermelon tourmaline of your dreams, visit ags.org/findajeweler.
About the Author
Kristin Taylor Young has been a fashion editor and fine jewelry writer for more than 20
years at national publications such as Women’s Wear Daily (WWD), JCK magazine, and USA Today.