| Do you remember, as a young child,
being enchanted by the dazzling array of colors in your first
paint set? What about the excitement created by an extra-
large box of Crayola Crayons with 128 colors and over 15
shades of blue? The many varieties of Tourmaline create the
same sense of enchantment and excitement for the jewelry
designer.
The intense rainbow-like colors of Tourmaline are a visual
experience not easily captured in words. Of all the gemstones,
Tourmaline exhibits the most diverse and vibrant display of
colors. Its name is derived from the Singhalese word "turamali"
meaning "stones of many colors". The following is a
brief guide to the brilliant colors of the Tourmaline palette.
Paraiba Tourmaline is famous for its stunning electric
teals and rich sapphire-like blues. Found only in Brazil,
Paraiba is as beautiful, as it is rare.
Indicolite Tourmaline (from the same root as
"indigo") is a deep blue often with subtle shadings
of green. Although lesser known, Indicolite rivals the beauty
and colors of sapphire and aquamarine.
Rubellite Tourmaline ranges in color from raspberry red to
dark cranberry with flashes of violet. Rubellite is an
international gemstone, with gem-quality stones found in
California, Africa, Afghanistan and Brazil.
Tourmaline is the national gemstone of the United States.
Pink Tourmaline is an American beauty from southern
California. Common varieties range from jazzy, hot pink to
lighter pastel shades. Chrome Tourmaline, from East Africa, is
a rich, bright green with a hint of yellow. It is not
surprising that this gemstone is often mistaken for emerald.
Maine Tourmaline, from the Mt. Mica region, is a beguiling
mint-green reminiscent of Granny Smith apples. Other colors
from Maine include pastel pinks, dark greens and bi-colored
watermelon slices. Tourmaline is a relatively hard gemstone
and is not easily scratched or chipped. The breadth of its
multi-colored palette makes tourmaline an ideal gemstone for
custom designed, high profile jewelry.
Hardness: 7.0 S.G. 3.0-3.3 XL: Hexagonal,
long narrow crystal Sources: Madagascar, North America,
Brazil, Myanmar (Burma), Africa, Siberia, Australia, Sri Lanka
(Ceylon). Chemical: (Ca,K,Na)(Al,Fe,Li,Mg,Mn)3(Al,Cr,Fe,V)6(BO3)3
Si6O18(O,OH,F)4
Complex Silicate Colors: There are more colors of
tourmaline than any other known gemstone. The lighter colored
stones are more valuable. Enhancements: Heating and
irradiation |
