Verdelite is a green member of the rainbow world of tourmaline, which eighteenth-century European mineralogists classified as a distinct mineral variety. Due to its unique properties, it is in demand in jewelry, radio electronics, medicine and esoterics. The gem got its name “green tourmaline” from the Italian word verde - green and the Greek lithos - stone. Siberian tourmalines-verdelites are called sibirites.
However, back in the sixteenth century, Europeans called the amazingly shining green tourmalines brought by conquistadors from the New World “Brazilian emerald” because they were sure that they were emeralds. They attached great importance to the acquisition, sincerely believing that the precious stone brings glory to a righteous person. They were so expensive that not every monarch could afford to buy them.
A generous gift from the Ambassador of Brazil to King Charles, in recognition of his merits and assurance of friendship with Norway - a large green tourmaline, which since 1818 began to crown the crown of the Norwegian monarchs, at the same time serving as a talisman. Today, 1 carat of verdelite, depending on the quality, can cost from 40 to 100 US dollars.
Description
In terms of the intensity of shades of green, the crystal can easily compete with emeralds. All this is thanks to the chromium and iron included in its composition. Another name for green tourmaline is verdelite, literally denoted as verde - green and lithos - stone.
Verdelite is the most common gem among tourmalines. The palette varies from light green to emerald. Due to the natural distribution of impurities that make up the stone, unusual color solutions are formed and each crystal is unique in its color.
What is this stone?
The formula of the gem is complex, like all tourmalines. The composition includes iron and chromium, which give the color of young green Verdelite.
It is classified as an aluminum silicate containing boron; its structure is transparent or translucent.
The uniqueness of Verdelite is in the variety of green tones: from soft light green to a dark, rich shade of moss. But there is also a black version, dark brown, bluish.
Why is it called solar?
Verdelite has dichroism: it becomes dim under artificial light.
Therefore, all the variety of uneven transitions of green that make up the bizarre pattern can be seen in full only in sunlight.
It is the sun that reveals the beauty of the gem.
Story
Tourmaline is a stone known to man since time immemorial. It was processed in Byzantium back in the 19th century. In Russia, the heyday of the gem trade began in the 15th century.
Enlightened Europe learned about the miracle stones of the latter thanks to the conquistadors who brought green crystals from overseas colonies.
In the Old World, they were later dubbed “Brazilian emeralds,” although the natives called them “turemali,” which meant attracting ash.
Historical reference
In ancient times, the mineral was called a “magic stone”, because it has the ability to be magnetized. Our ancestors noticed that the crystal is able to attract dust and ash. Representatives of different nations believed in his magical power and worshiped him. People considered verdelite a symbol of wisdom and spirituality. The ancient Egyptians believed that it falls to the earth from the sun and during the flight it takes on different shades. This is where the name “rainbow gem” comes from.
In the twelfth century, people began to actively use the gem to create amazingly beautiful jewelry. Gold was most often used as a cut. The popularity of the unique green crystal gradually reached Russia, where it was first learned about in the sixteenth century.
In 1703, sailors brought verdelite from the island of Ceylon. The mineral made such a strong impression that it became the object of attention of the rulers. In many pieces of jewelry from that era, there are examples of green tourmaline. The products were intended only for crowned heads.
Where is it mined?
In the natural environment, verdelites are common in igneous rocks, have the appearance of oblong built-up crystals, and are also found in the form of large stones.
Today, green tourmaline is mined in the Urals, California, Transbaikalia, Sri Lanka and Madagascar.
With the beginning of the study of deposits in South America, the largest valuable specimens of verdelite were found:
- Thus, verdelite was mined, the width of which was slightly more than 20 cm, and the height reached 1 meter. He was given the self-explanatory name “Rocket”.
- Later, from the same Brazilian deposits, a crystal weighing 2.5 kg was discovered.
- The third natural crystal found in such rich depths was dubbed the “Jolly Green Giant”, which barely fits in the palm of a man’s hand. It can be seen in the Natural History Museum of the US Financial Center.
Cost and difference between fakes
Verdelite was considered not a cheap gem. Not even every monarch could afford it. And today, green tourmaline is considered an expensive stone. So 1 carat of average quality can range from 40 to 50 US dollars. The best quality verdelite stone is valued at $100.
Unfortunately, it is very difficult for an ordinary person to distinguish a natural tourmaline stone from a fake. Science has created a method for producing synthetic minerals. In this regard, many scammers have appeared trying to pass off glass or plastic as a greenish gem.
- The first thing you can do to verify authenticity is to try to scratch the stone. Natural verdelite is dense and leaving a mark will be quite problematic.
- You can try to heat the stone. Under no circumstances should it be heated with fire. Just rub it in your hand. Afterwards, you can bring small pieces of paper to the mineral and check for the appearance of electrification.
- You can take a closer look at the shade of the crystal, namely the uniform distribution of the color palette. It should be taken into account that in nature there is no verdelite with the same color intensity. A stone that has the same color over its entire area is most likely a fake.
The magical energy of green tourmalines
In jewelry workshops all over the world you can find verdelite in all sorts of variations: in rings, earrings, bracelets, pendants, and pendants. Such jewelry emphasizes individuality, beauty, adds chic, but most importantly, it has a beneficial effect on the life of the owner due to its magical properties.
Green tourmaline creates a feeling of security and satisfaction with life. Helps to find calm after depression or nervous tension, rethink current situations, get to the bottom of the truth, and get out of dead-end problems.
It is believed that verdelite teaches one to be a part of the natural world. The owner of the amulet will be able to feel the language of animals and plants at the level of intuition and will become closer to the earth.
It is desirable for ambitious, purposeful, decisive individuals who are confident in their abilities to have a green gem. The recommended setting is gold or silver, and the best type of jewelry is rings and pendants.
The crystal has a truly magical effect on creative individuals, allowing them to deeper reveal their talent, increase self-esteem, win the approval of the public, and find themselves. It also protects against envy, the evil eye and bad thoughts from the outside. This is a kind of magic.
Decorations
Most often, jewelers use Verdelite in cutting gold and silver, as well as in an ensemble with other stones, for example, citron and diamond. It is heated to produce a brighter color.
Rings, brooches, bracelets and pendants, pendants, earrings and beads are popular.
The latter were very popular in past centuries. It was believed that they were able to rejuvenate a woman’s body.
Medicinal properties
Wearing green tourmaline helps strengthen both the mind and body. Mental clarity is maintained, vision is healed, and the aging process is reversed. It is a mineral of youth, energy and a healthy body.
Verdelite helps in the functioning of the human reproductive systems, heart, liver and blood vessels. The magical properties help with kidney and skin diseases, strengthen the nervous system, and strengthen the immune system. Homology specialists claim that the stone has a beneficial effect on diseases of the blood and the entire blood circulation in general.
Official medicine
Academic medical science does not refuse the help of a stone:
- Tourmaline ionizes the air, which is used in hospitals to purify the air.
- Tourmaline crumbs contain medical products and devices (heaters for the treatment of joints, backs, health mattresses, belts, knee pads, underwear for osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias).
The stone acts gently, quietly healing the aura, creating a protective energy cocoon around the owner. This is a powerful “battery” for natural energy recharging.
Contraindications
Green tourmaline should not be used in the following cases:
- increased body temperature;
- bleeding, hemorrhagic strokes;
- thyroid diseases;
- stage of exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- pregnancy, breastfeeding.
Caution is required when using a pacemaker simultaneously. The stone is placed on damaged soft tissues only after 24 hours.
Meaning for Zodiac Signs
From an astrological point of view, verdelite is a universal stone suitable for almost all signs. Especially for people of the water and air elements: Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio, Libra, Aquarius, Gemini.
Representatives of the Earth element signs (Capricorn, Sagittarius and Virgo) also have stars who look favorably on this type of amulet.
Representatives of fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) are not recommended to have such jewelry; they are allowed only in combination with diamonds and citrons.
How to care
- Caring for green tourmaline involves cleaning the stone. However, the mineral cannot be cleaned with ultrasonic and steam cleaners. It should be remembered that when doing chores around the house, the decoration must be removed.
- Care should be taken carefully, taking into account that minerals do not tolerate high temperatures, acids and cleaning agents. This gem can only be treated with soapy water using a soft brush or a non-rough cloth.
- Verdelite jewelry should not be stored with other stones. It is better to allocate a separate place for it in the box.
- Over time, a stone can absorb a lot of negative energy. To eliminate it, rinse the verdelite with a stream of cold running water. To feed it with good energy, you can periodically place it in the sun; the sun's rays have a beneficial effect on this type of stone.
- The most favorable time for replenishing energy is the night during the Aging Moon. At this time, the stone easily consumes negative energy, bad thoughts, evil eyes, which it has absorbed, stocking up on vitality and bright energy.
Scientists have found that the green tourmaline stone is the only mineral in the world that maintains a constant electric field. Verdelite emits infrared rays, so-called anions, which help balance the biocurrent.
This makes it a natural healing resource, gifted by nature itself. The characteristics given to this gem make you think about jewelry with this stone.
Varieties, colors
Pink Verdelite
Indigolite
Dravit
Achroite
Jewelers are happy to use not only green Verdelite, but also pink and red rubellite, indigolite, which has a blue color, dravite, which has yellow and brown tones, and achroite, which is colorless or white.
All these minerals are tourmalines and belong to the elbaites.
Verdelite with a high chromium content is released into chrome tourmaline. It has a bluish-green tint or brownish with greenery.
The mineral found in Siberia is called sibirite. It also has a green color.
Verdelite, which has a red rubellite edge, is called the Watermelon mineral.
Sometimes there are Verdelites with a reddish “hat”, similar to a Turkish fez. Such minerals are called Turkish Head.
The red tint comes from rubellite, which is located mainly on top of green verdelite.
