Tourmaline

tourmaline

We make custom jewelry with color tourmaline gemstone or elbaite stone as, necklace, ring, earrings, bracelet or pendant.

Buy natural tourmaline in our shop

Tourmaline is a crystalline boron silicate mineral. Some trace elements are aluminum, iron, also magnesium, sodium, lithium, or potassium. The classification is semi-precious gemstone. it comes in a wide variety of colors.

Elbaite

Elbaite forms three series, with dravite, with fluor-liddicoatite, and with schorl. Due to these series, specimens with the ideal endmember formula are not found occurring naturally.

As a gemstone, elbaite is a desirable member of the tourmaline group because of the variety and depth of its colors and quality of the crystals. Originally discovered on the island of Elba, Italy in 1913, it has since been found in many parts of the world. In 1994, a major locality was discovered in Canada.

Etymology

According to the Madras Tamil Lexicon, the name comes from the Sinhalese word “thoramalli”, a group of gemstones found in Sri Lanka. According to the same source, the Tamil “tuvara-malli” comes from the Sinhalese root word. This etymology also comes from other standard dictionaries including the Oxford English Dictionary.

History

Brightly colored Sri Lankan gem tourmalines were brought to Europe in great quantities by the Dutch East India Company to satisfy a demand for curiosities and gems. At the time, We didn’t know that schorl and also tourmaline were the same mineral. It was only about 1703 that it was discovered that some colored gems were not zircons.

Stones was sometimes called the “Ceylonese Magnet” because it could attract and then repel hot ashes due to its pyroelectric properties. In the 19th century, chemists polarized light with crystals by casting rays on the surface of the gem.

Tourmaline treatment

In some gems, especially pink to red colored stones, heat treatment can improve their color. Careful heat treatment can lighten the color of dark red stones. Irradiation with gamma-rays or electron can increase the pink color in manganese-containing near-colorless to pale pink stone.

Irradiation is almost undetectable in tourmalines, and does not, currently, impact the value. We can improve the quality of certain stones, such as rubellite and Brazilian paraiba, especially when the stones contains a lot of inclusions. Through a laboratory certificate. A stone that has undergone a lightening treatment, especially the Paraiba variety, will be worth much less than an identical natural stone.

Geology

Granite, pegmatites and in metamorphic rocks are the usualy rocks to find it, such as schist and marble.

We found Schorl and lithium-rich tourmalines in granite and also granite pegmatite. Schists and marble are usualy the only deposites of magnesium-rich stones and dravites. It is a durable mineral. We can found it in minor amounts as grains in sandstone and conglomerate.

Localities

Brazil and Africa are the main sources of stones. Some placer material suitable for gem use comes from Sri Lanka. In addition to Brazil; Tanzania, also Nigeria, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Malawi are sources of extraction.

Tourmaline meaning and healing properties benefits

The following section is pseudo scientific and based on cultural beliefs.

It promotes self-confidence and diminishes fear. The stone attracts inspiration, compassion, tolerance and prosperity. It balances the right-left sides of the brain. Helps treat paranoia, overcomes dyslexia and improves hand-eye coordination.

Tourmaline birthstone

Two are pink and green bicolor stones known as watermelon are birthstone for October. Bicolor and pleochroic stones are favorite stones of many jewelry designers because they can be used to make especially interesting pieces of jewelry. It is not an original birthstone for October. It was added to most birthstone lists in 1952.

Tourmaline under microscope

FAQ

What are the benefits of tourmaline?

The gemstone is known to aid in relieving stress, increase mental alertness, improve circulation and strengthen the immune system. It is a powerful agent for reducing toxin-related ailments.

Is Tourmaline an expensive gem?

The value has a very large range. The more common forms can be fairly inexpensive, but the rarer and more exotic colors can command very high prices. The most expensive and valuable form is the rare neon-blue form known by the trade name Paraiba tourmaline.

What Colour is tourmaline?

It has a variety of colors. Iron-rich gemstones are usually black to bluish-black to deep brown, while magnesium-rich varieties are brown to yellow, and lithium-rich crystal necklace are almost any color: blue, green, red, yellow, pink, etc. Rarely, it is colorless.

How much is a tourmaline worth?

These multicolor stones are popular with collectors and high quality specimens sell for prices in the range of $300 to $600 per carat. Other colors of stone tend to be less expensive, but any fine material with vivid color can be quite valuable, especially in larger sizes.

Who can wear tourmaline stone?

The birthstones for people born in October. It is also gifted on the 8th year of a marriage. This makes tourmaline necklace, rings, pendants, bangles,…

What does tourmaline do for hair?

A crystal boron silicate mineral that aids in the hair smoothing process. Gemstone emits negative ions that counteract the positive ions present in dry or damaged hair. This results in smooth, shiny hair. The stone even helps to seal moisture into your hair and counteracts frizz

Can you wear tourmaline everyday?

With a rating between 7 and 7.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, The gem can be worn every day, but with caution. If you’re someone who works with your hands a lot, we suggest avoiding wearing any rings to reduce the chance of accidentally bumping it against a hard object. Earrings, and pendants are always safe options if you want to wear jewelry every day.

Which tourmaline color is best?

Bright, pure tones of red, blue and green are generally the most valued, but the electric vivid green to blue shades of copper-bearing are so exceptional that they are in a class by themselves.

How can you tell fake tourmaline?

Observe your stone under a bright artificial light. Genuine gemstones change a little bit color under artificial light, displaying a dark undertone. If your stone does not display this undertone when exposed to artificial light, then you are likely not looking at a real stone.

What power does tourmaline have?

The piezoelectric property of the stone can help polarize people’s emotions and energy with a magnetic-electric charge that appears when the crystal is rubbed or heated.

Does tourmaline break easily?

It has a 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale so it won’t break easily. But there are areas of tension within the crystal that can cause it to crack, but this can happen mainly when jewelers are working on the stone.

How do you clean tourmaline gemstone?

Warm, soapy water is the best method for cleaning. The use of ultrasonic and steam cleaners is not recommended.

Natural tourmaline for sale in our gem shop

We make custom made tourmaline jewelry as engagement rings, necklaces, stud earrings, bracelets, pendants… Please contact us for a quote.