TOURMALINE

Although all color variations of elbaite exist, the green form of tourmaline is occasionally referred to as elbaite in the gemstone industry. On the gem market, the different color varieties of elbaite have their own variety names. The red or pink variation of tourmaline is known as rubellite, the blue variety as indicalite, and the variegated red and green tourmaline is known as watermelon tourmaline. Chrome tourmaline and Paraiba tourmaline are two more recent names for different varieties of tourmaline. The term "Rubellite" is now more frequently referred to as "Red Tourmaline" due to a new trend in the gem industry that prefixes tourmaline gemstones by the color designation rather than the variety name.

Tourmaline's value has a fairly wide range. The most popular shapes may be found at a reasonable price, while the rarer and exotic hues can fetch extremely high prices.

The uncommon neon-blue kind of tourmaline known as Paraiba Tourmaline is the most costly and desirable variety. In a gem pegmatite in the Brazilian state of Paraiba, Paraiba tourmaline was originally found in 1989. In a relatively short period of time, this new tourmaline gained enormous popularity, and as a result of the highly limited availability, the price for this rare tourmaline skyrocketed. Recently, small concentrations of tourmaline with hues similar to those of Paraiba Tourmaline were also discovered in Nigeria and Mozambique; in the gem industry, they are sometimes referred to as "Paraiba Tourmaline." Chrome Tourmaline, an intensely green tourmaline discovered in Tanzania, Rubellite, a pink to red variant, and Indicolite, a rare blue type, are further valued varieties of tourmaline.

A gemological marvel, multicolored stones are unmatched in beauty and individuality. Watermelon Tourmaline is a fascinating kind of multicolored tourmaline with a red core and a green outer coating. (or vice versa). Watermelon Tourmaline has a green and a red side when it is used as a gem. Schorl, a typical black tourmaline, is reasonably priced.

Pleochroism, or the ability to change color when seen from different angles, is a property shared by all colored tourmaline stones. This effect might be hardly discernible in certain tourmaline stones or quite intense in others. This must be considered while cutting a tourmaline so that the finished gem exhibits the stone's greatest color.

Tourmaline is a collection of numerous closely related minerals rather than a single mineral. The trio of Elbaite, Schorl, and Dravite is the most well-known. Uvite, Liddicoatite, and Buergerite are other members with a lower reputation. There are yet other Tourmaline group members, but they are quite uncommon and are not included in this manual.

A well-known gemstone, tourmaline is immensely popular among collectors. It is the mineral kind with the widest range of colors, appearing in almost all hues. Particular stones are unparalleled in beauty and can have several colors.

Heat treatment can improve the color of some tourmalines. With heating, certain greenish stones can be transformed into deep green, some brownish-red stones into red, and others light pink stones into colorless ones.

The optical characteristics of tourmaline are really intriguing. Many blue and green specimens exhibit considerable pleochroism. Those specimens look darker in color when viewed via their vertical axis than when viewed through their horizontal axis. Because to pleochroism, the color of other Tourmalines may really change depending on the viewing angle. When polished into cabochons, certain tourmalines have a cat's eye look.

Both pyroelectricity and piezoelectricity exist in tourmaline. A specimen will produce an electrical charge when it is subjected to a pressure or temperature change. This results in dust particles adhering to the crystal ends.

The Elbaite type makes up the majority of tourmaline gemstones, as was already established. Liddicoatite, Dravite, and Schorl are occasionally used as jewels. The gemstone schorl, sometimes referred to as "Black Tourmaline," is dark, opaque, and glossy. Dravite often has a brownish tint and is opaque. Transparent forms, on the other hand, do occasionally appear and can be exploited to create precious brown gemstones. Heat treatment can be used to brighten dark brown Dravite. Although it may be found in beautiful multicolored forms and a wide range of hues, liddicoatite is too uncommon to be widely utilized as a gemstone.

Some Tourmalines' colors can be improved by heat treatment. Through heating, certain greenish stones can be transformed into deep green, some brownish-red stones into red, and others light pink stones into colorless ones. Some light-colored stones may be dyed to a deeper shade, while Dravite, a dark, translucent stone, can be made to appear lighter.