The birthstone for the month of October, tourmalines are a crystalline boron silicate mineral that occurs in a variety of colors, depending on the other elements present in the stone. Most tourmaline comes from Brazil and various African countries, including Nigeria and Kenya. In the US, significant deposits of tourmaline have been found in California and Maine, who have declared it their state gemstone.
Semi-precious stone beads are mined all over the world and then are usually cut in China. They will often be dyed or color-treated to enhance their appearance. We select the best quality semi-precious that is available, and try to avoid finishes that are not durable. It is best to assume that some semi-precious beads will fade over time.