Tourmaline

Tourmaline

Properties

  • Mineral: Tourmaline
  • Chemistry:
  • Elbaite Na(Li5,Al1.5)Al6Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)4
  • Dravite NaMg3Al6Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)4
  • Liddicoatite Ca(Li2Al)Al6Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)3F
  • Chromedravite NaMg3Cr6Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)4
  • Color: All colors
  • Refractive index: 1.624 to 1.644
  • Birefringence: 0.018 to 0.040
  • Specific gravity: 3.06 (+0.20, -0.06)
  • Mohs Hardness: 7 to 7.5
  • Phenomenon: Chatoyancy (Cat’s eye)

About Tourmaline

Tourmaline is a very popular gemstone because it comes in all colours of the rainbow and is relatively affordable.

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Product Description

History

Discovered in Brazil somewhere in the 1500s, tourmalines have since been worn by people for centuries. Tourmalines were first confused to be other gemstones such as rubies, emeralds and sapphires due to their variety of beautiful colours. Only in the 1800s were tourmalines identified as a new gemstone species.

Sources

Gem and specimen tourmaline is mined predominantly in Brazil and Africa. Sri Lanka also produces gem quality tourmalines but in small quantities. In addition to Brazil, tourmaline is also mined in Tanzania, Nigeria, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Malawi.

Quality

The most beautiful tourmalines are said to come from the largest producer of tourmalines which is Brazil. Brazil produces tourmalines of any colour you can imagine. The colours of tourmalines from Brazil are the most intense and vibrant. Especially from an area called Paraiba. There tourmalines of an intense electric blue can be found which are given the name “Paraiba tourmaline”.

Trivia

The world’s largest faceted paraiba tourmaline weighs in at 191.87 carat.

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