Tourmaline is an expensive gem. It comes in a variety of shapes and color variations. It attracts jewelry makers and buyers with its beauty. He came to Holland from Ceylon. It was in this country that the mineral gained great popularity and demand among collectors and connoisseurs of natural stones.
The color palette of tourmaline depends on the predominance of one or another chemical element. The gem, endowed with several branched veins, has different tones. Such specimens are called polychrome. Their price is significantly higher, since they are rarely found in nature.
The color range and degree of transparency affect which group the stone will be classified into. There are ornamental and jewelry minerals. Tourmaline hardness ranges from 7 to 7.5 according to the Mohs scale. It's not easy to scratch.
Physical and chemical properties
Tourmaline belongs to the group of boron-containing aluminosilicates. The mineral is characterized by strong or distinct pleochroism and weak luminescence. Crystals exhibit pyroelectricity and piezoelectricity, meaning they become electrified when rubbed, heated, or squeezed. Interestingly, one end of the crystal receives a negative charge and the other end receives a positive charge.
| Formula | Na(Li,Al)3Al6[(OH)4|(BO3)3Si6O18] |
| Color | Varied - red, pink, green, blue, brown, yellowish, colorless, lilac, crimson, black, blue, chameleon |
| Probable impurities | Chromium, iron, manganese and others |
| Shine | Glass |
| Hardness | 7-7,5 |
| Transparency | From transparent to opaque |
| Strength | Fragile |
| Kink | Finely crusty, uneven |
| Cleavage | Unclear |
| Density | 3.02-3.26 g/cm3 |
| singonia | Trigonal |
| Refractive index | 1,616-1,552 |
Application
- Large tourmaline crystals are used in radio engineering.
- Depending on the color and transparency, some varieties of tourmaline are classified as precious stones, while others are classified as ornamental stones. The most highly prized varieties are the transparent green, blue and crimson-red varieties, as well as the polychrome green-red ones.
- Due to strong pleochroism, dark crystals are cut so that the stone platform is parallel to the long axis. For light crystals, the area is oriented perpendicular to the main axis, thereby achieving the greatest color depth.
- By heating tourmalines to 450-650 °C, they achieve their refinement - red-brown stones become pink, and dark green stones become emerald. There are imitations made of glass.
- Tourmaline products are used in alternative medicine, characterized as a “source of negative ions.” This application has no scientific basis.
Faceted tourmalines
Assessing the quality of jewelry stones takes into account the defect-free nature of the crystal and its bright, rich color. The most popular in the jewelry market are cut stones weighing more than 2 carats.
Colors and varieties
There are many varieties of tourmaline. They are distinguished by color, place of extraction, properties and other criteria.
Paraiba
Stunningly beautiful tourmaline in blue, emerald green and crimson colors. It is mined in the state of the same name in Brazil. The stone is valued for its transparency, quality and rich color, and therefore has a high price.
Paraiba Tourmaline
Watermelon tourmaline
It got its name for its visual resemblance to a watermelon slice - the edges are green, the middle is red interspersed with white and black.
Watermelon tourmaline
Sherl – black tourmaline
The black color of the mineral comes from a large amount of iron impurities. This variety is not valued too highly and is rarely used for insertion into jewelry, but it is very popular among all kinds of mystics.
Sherl – black tourmaline
Rubellite – red-pink tourmaline
Rubellites include specimens of all shades of red - from light pink to raspberry and cherry. The highest quality stones are rich scarlet and burgundy in color and are very similar to rubies.
Rubellite – red-pink tourmaline
Chameleonite
An interesting variety that changes color in different lighting conditions. For example, under the sun's rays the stone appears green, but under electric lamps it appears red. This feature causes a rather high cost.
Tourmaline chameleonite
Indigolite – blue tourmaline
All specimens of blue color are considered to be of this variety; dark blue stones are considered especially valuable.
Indigolite – blue tourmaline
Verdelite - dark green tourmaline
This variety has a dark green color.
Verdelite - dark green tourmaline
Chrome tourmaline (green)
Due to the high content of chromium in the composition, the stones have a rich green color, often similar to emeralds, for which they are especially revered by jewelers.
Chrome tourmaline
Achroite - colorless tourmaline
A transparent gem, which is also called “elboite” due to the fact that it was most often found on the Elbe River in Germany.
Tourmaline achroite colorless
Dravite – brown-yellow tourmaline
This variety includes brown, yellowish and golden specimens.
Brown-yellow tourmaline – Dravite
Burmese (scratched) tourmaline
This variety ranges in color from garnet to dark purple. Its peculiarity is its internal structure. On the outside, the surface of the stone is perfectly smooth, but on the inside, stripes are visible, as if the stone was scratched.
Burmese tourmaline
Sibirit – crimson tourmaline
The Russian variation of rubellite has a crimson or reddish-violet hue.
Tourmaline Sibirit
Polychrome tourmaline
Polychrome stones include stones that combine several color zones. They are considered rare and are highly valued.
Polychrome tourmaline
Who is it suitable for?
- Actors.
- Pupils and students.
- To inventors.
Expert opinion
Semenishcheva Polina
Specialist in mineralogy. Graduated from St. Petersburg Mining University.
Attention : Sherls help you lose excess weight. However, lithotherapists do not recommend wearing them.
Zodiac signs
Tourmaline is suitable for many zodiac signs. The main thing is to choose the right variety.
Sherls are astrologically suitable for Gemini in the second decade.
Green and red gems are suitable for Sagittarius of the second decade.
Watermelon tourmaline is ideal for Aquarius of the 1st decade.
Other representatives of the star circle can wear tourmaline jewelry without harm and be treated with the gem.
Is Tourmaline right for you?
Not really
Element
All elements (Earth, Water, Air, Fire). Depends on the type of gem.
Planets
Pluto
Venus
Energy
Depends on the variety. Either Yang or Yin. In polychromes both types of energies are present.
Mineral deposits
Tourmaline is mined:
- In Brazil - Minas Gerais, Bahia and Paraiba (the most expensive varieties).
- In Sri Lanka.
- In Madagascar.
- In South Africa.
- In North America.
- In China.
- In Afghanistan.
- In Canada.
- In Russia - the Urals (the deposits are almost exhausted), the Kola Peninsula, Transbaikalia.
Faceted tourmalines
The magical properties of tourmaline
The magic of tourmaline is comprehensive support, protection from negativity and bad influence. The direction of influence depends on the color of the stone:
- Red and pink specimens are responsible for strengthening relationships, enhancing feelings, increasing libido and helping to attract the attention of the opposite sex. Lonely people need them to get rid of the burden of past disappointments, make friends, and find a soul mate. Pink tourmalines also help the fair sex become feminine, believe in themselves and stop tormenting themselves with complexes and prejudices.
- Green tourmaline is the most powerful energy protection. The stone also stimulates the development of a person’s creative abilities, and also helps to find a calling and establish himself as a person.
- The colorless mineral represents internal balance and harmony.
- Blue stone helps to establish a connection with higher powers, develop spirituality and strengthen intuition. He is also responsible for the inviolability of unions, in particular marriages.
In China and India, tourmaline is called a stone of determination and determination.
- Black tourmaline blocks negative magical effects and also protects against various kinds of troubles.
- Lilac gem helps to cope with emotions, eliminates temper and aggressiveness.
- The blue variety enhances the thirst for knowledge, improves mental abilities, helps to find the truth, draw the right conclusions, and also identify lies and insincerity.
- A brown or yellow stone strengthens the inner core, strengthens character, gives physical endurance, and also protects older people from injustice, age-related manifestations (forgetfulness, fatigue) and any troubles.
Multi-colored stones mean improving the quality of life, good luck in business, determining life direction and protection from human deceit, hatred and envy.
Medicinal properties
The healing power of tourmaline is undeniable. It is confirmed not only by lithotherapists, but also by ordinary scientists (the stone is used in heating and infrared medical devices, as well as air ionizers).
Another famous experimental scientist, the Curie spouses, studied the energy hidden in tourmaline (the stone has its own charge). They compared and found the electrical radiation of the human body and this mineral to be identical.
Polychrome tourmaline cut
If you are treating yourself with stones, you should take into account the color, since the healing nature of tourmaline depends on it:
- Green is rejuvenation, strengthening the immune system, normalizing blood circulation, and also helps in the treatment of kidneys, liver and heart.
- Blue – “order” in the nervous system, elimination of hormonal imbalances, normalization of metabolic processes and general tone of the body.
- Blue – male strength, restoration of reproductive function, elimination of headaches, improvement of vision.
- Red is vascular health and normalization of the heart, as well as the genitourinary system.
- Pink – clear skin, fresh complexion, cheerfulness and energy.
- Yellow is calm, balance, healthy sleep, good appetite, regulation of the body’s water balance.
- Black is a protector against viruses and bacteria, defeats acute infections of any nature, and is most effective against colds.
Absolutely all varieties, due to their physical properties, deliver the oxygen they need to cells, and also gradually displace free radicals. This helps restore the body and activate its resources.
Talismans and amulets
Ring with polychrome tourmaline
Tourmaline has a wide range of uses as a talisman. They believed in its power from ancient times, even the ancient Romans, Egyptians and other peoples.
The Indians called tourmaline a male gem. According to their beliefs, the stone adds masculinity and assertiveness to the stronger sex, and also increases potency.
Blue varieties of tourmaline are necessary for clergy, as well as judges and other law enforcement officials, since the stone does not tolerate liars and hypocrites. He always strives to bring them to clean water. Priests will be able to assess the sincerity of the penitent, and judges will be able to establish the truth.
Traditionally, as it is relevant for many gems, tourmaline helps creative individuals to reveal their abilities and convey them to humanity, while receiving recognition.
The pebble is also useful for those who spend a lot of time at the computer or TV. It neutralizes harmful radiation from these devices.
Pink varieties are a feminine assistant in the fight against uncertainty, indecision and weakness of spirit. With them, women will become stronger morally, as well as more attractive and energetic.
Regarding the varieties of tourmaline, psychics and magicians give recommendations for wearing them by day of the week, explaining that on these days a stone of a certain color is most effective. On Sunday you need to wear rubellite (pink), on Saturday and Monday - verdelite (green), on Friday and Thursday - indigolite (blue), on Wednesday - scherl (black), on Tuesday - red specimens.
Blue crystals are useful for married couples, especially newlyweds, for building strong relationships and mutual trust, as well as for rekindling faded feelings.
Blue varieties help scientists and researchers by opening their eyes wider, sharpening their gaze, helping them see what is important among the trash, form a big picture and draw the right conclusions.
Tourmaline products and jewelry
High-quality tourmalines are beautiful; they are inserted into a wide variety of jewelry - earrings, rings, brooches, necklaces, bracelets and others. Previously, when people were not yet able to reliably determine whether a mineral belonged to a certain type, red, blue and green varieties were confused with rubies, sapphires and emeralds. There is evidence of this in history.
This is interesting!
The world-famous jewel in the form of a bunch of grapes, named “Caesar’s Ruby,” which, according to legend, Cleopatra gave to the great Roman commander Gaius Julius, has long been considered to be made of rubies. The decoration wandered from hand to hand for a long time; subsequently, the Swedish King Gustav VIII presented it to the Empress of Russia Catherine II. It was only in the 19th century that mineralogists determined that the “Caesar’s Ruby” was actually pink tourmaline. Now the jewel is the property of the Diamond Fund of Russia.
Earrings with green tourmaline
Today, jewelry with tourmaline and just gems can be purchased at different prices depending on the type of stone used. For example:
- A small untreated black schorl crystal can be purchased for only 5-10 dollars.
- A sample of Brazilian pink rubellite will cost $9-15.
- Brazilian brown tourmaline bracelet with steel clasp - $45-50.
- Silver earrings with blue tourmaline – $60-70.
- A treated polychrome tourmaline weighing almost five carats - about $250.
- Natural indigolite 4 carats - $150.
- Paraiba gem (5*6 mm) - about 200, and in the shape of a heart (7*6 mm) - 230-250 dollars.
- Watermelon tourmaline 31 carats – $330-350.
- Rubellite bracelet – $35-50.
- Silver set (earrings + ring) with lilac tourmaline – $136.
- Gold ring with large red Brazilian tourmaline - about 600 dollars.
In addition to jewelry purposes, tourmaline is used in medical devices, air ionizers, optical instruments, electronics, and for other medical and industrial needs.
Favorable time to buy
Tourmaline is bought on the first or second lunar day. They begin to wear jewelry or use a tourmaline accessory on the 16th lunar day.
Sources and literature
- Betekhtin A.G. "Course of Mineralogy", under scientific. ed. B.I. Pirogov and B.B. Shkursky. M., 2008
- Vorobyov V.I. Tourmalin // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907.
- B.F.Kulikov. "Dictionary-directory of semi-precious stones." - M.: SME Publishing House, 2000. - 320 p.
- Kuznetsova L. G., Zolotarev A. A., Frank-Kamenetskaya O. V., Rozhdestvenskaya I. V., Bronzova Yu. M., Spratt J., Ertl A. Chemical composition and species identification of tourmalines from a rare-metal pegmatite vein with scapolite (Sangilen Highlands, Tuva). – ZRMO, 2011. part 140, issue. 1, p. 102-116
- Slivko M.M., Boriskov F.F., Kornilov V.F. About tourmaline-asbestos. - Mineral. Sat. Lvovsk. University, 1972, No. 26, issue. 2.
- Sokolov P.B., Gorskaya M.G., Kretser Yu.L. (1988) Zinc-bearing tourmalines of rare-metal pegmatites. // Notes of WMO. 117. Vol. 1. 70-74.
- Schumann V. Tourmaline // World of Stone. In 2 volumes - Mir, 1986. - Volume 2. Precious and ornamental stones. — P. 104—107. — 263 p.
- Yakovleva O.S., Pekov I.V., Kononkova N.N. New data on tourmalines from the Kuhilal deposit (Southwestern Pamirs). Abstract. report // Mater. V International Symposium "Mineralogical Museums", St. Petersburg, 2005, 204-205
- Description of tourmaline on Wikipedia ru.wikipedia.org
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How to distinguish an original from a fake
Polychrome tourmaline crystal, height 2 cm
Artificial tourmalines exist, that is, those that are grown in the laboratory. Only they have pale, unexpressed colors and almost no shine, which is why they are used in medicine and industry. It is not advisable to use such stones as imitation of natural ones in jewelry.
However, tourmaline is still counterfeited, for which glass and plastic are used. You can distinguish a fake on the spot if you know the basic properties of the mineral:
- The ability to heat up and become electrified - if you rub a natural stone, it will heat up quite quickly and begin to attract hair, ash or cut newspaper paper.
- A natural gem is hard and cannot be scratched with a needle, but glass or plastic can be easily scratched.
- If you look at the gift of nature in the light, you will notice a heterogeneous structure and slight tints of color. The fakes will seem perfect.
- Natural tourmaline is characterized by pleochroism, that is, a soft iridescence of colors when changing the viewing angle.
Professionals say that blue and black tourmalines are the least likely to be counterfeited, but to be on the safe side, it is always better to ask the seller for a certificate for the stone.
Compatibility with other stones
When one person uses two different stones at once, it ends up bad more often than good. But tourmaline is a rather compromise mineral, which has only 4 bosom “enemies”:
- obsidian;
- pomegranate;
- amber;
- ruby.
Conflicts with these stones are noted both from an astrological and energetic point of view.
