Tourmaline and opal, October’s birthstones and eighth wedding anniversary
The initial confusion of the Tourmaline stone’s identity is reflected in its name which derives from Sinhalese, the language of Sri Lanka Toramalli which means ‘mixed gems.’ It is also the gemstone that represents the eighth wedding anniversary.
Why we are in love with Tourmaline?
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Trigonal System: Tourmaline crystalizes in the trigonal system; no other common mineral has three sided prisms.
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Watermelon Variety: Watermelon Tourmaline is green on the outside and has a delicious pink colour on the inside.
Healing properties
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Enhances energy
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Removes blockages
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Protect and repel from negativity
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Provides emotional stability
This unique gemstone is ideal to be made into statement jewellery pieces. The pink and red variety, also known as Rubellite is one of the most readily available Tourlamine colours.
Today, many celebrities choose to wear this vibrant gemstone, and English actress Emily Blunt is one of them:
Emily Blunt
wearing blue Tourmerine and Diamonds earrings
Quality Factors
Tourmaline has any varieties meaning it has a vast range of quality factors.
Watermelon Tourmaline Rough Crystal
This Brazilian crystal is a typical watermelon tourmaline, with a pink core surrounded
Rough Tourmaline Group
Tourmaline group from Himalaya mine, Mesa Grande, CA, USA. Gift of William F. Larson.
Colour
Tourmaline’s rainbow colours have a wide range of colour intensity and tone.
Colourful Tourmaline
These 12 intensely coloured Cu-bearing tourmaline (0.31 – 1.04 ct) were reportedly produced from a new locality in Nigeria. Courtesy of Barker & Co.
Variety Colours Of Tourmaline
Tourmaline’s rainbow colours have a wide range of colour intensity and tone.
Blue Polished Tourmaline
Clear and intense blue Tourmaline. 1.53 ct. Paraiba tourmaline, Brazil. R068
Clarity
The green and blue varieties tend to have less visible inclusions than the pink or red Tourmaline.
Pink Tourmaline
Pink to red tourmaline often has more visible inclusions than green to blue varieties.
Clear Pink Tourmaline
California Tourmaline.One of the crystal specimens on display was a gift from tycoon, collector and morganite namesake J.P. Morgan to Andrew Carnegie.
Cut
As Tourmaline crystals are often long and slim, this allows cutters to cut more slender finished tones.
Different Cuts
Emerald cut, Oval Tourmarine cuts. The state of Maine has produced beautiful tourmalines. – Courtesy ICA.Courtesy of Boston Findings Co. Inc.
Cut example
Tourmaline crystals are often long, leading cutters to cut slender finished stones.
Jewellery With Tourmarine Crystal
Jewellery designers create custom mountings to accommodate the shape of fashioned tourmalines. – © GIA & Tino Hammid, courtesy Chris Almquist
Carat Weight
Tourmaline can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, this means that the value can often change with these varieties.
The value change for size varies with the variety.
Care And Cleaning
When cleaning Tourmaline, using warm soapy water is the best method. Using ultrasonic and steam cleaners could cause damage to the gemstone.
Find our more about other birthstones by visiting our other blog posts on Pearls, Ruby, Peridot or Sapphires.
