tourmaline

To order, we make jewelry from colored tourmaline or elbaite in the form of a necklace, ring, earrings, bracelet or pendant.

Buy natural tourmaline in our store

Tourmaline is a crystalline boron silicate mineral. Some micronutrients are aluminum, iron, as well as magnesium, sodium, lithium or potassium. Classification of semi-precious gemstones. comes in a wide range of colors.

elbaite

Elbaite produces three series: dravite, fluoride coated and schorl. Because of these series, specimens with an ideal formula, tips do not occur in nature.

As a gemstone, elbaite is a coveted member of the tourmaline group due to the variety and depth of color as well as the quality of the crystals. Originally discovered on the island of Elba in Italy in 1913, it has since been found in many parts of the world. In 1994, a large locality was discovered in Canada.

Etymology

According to the Tamil lexicon in Madras, the name comes from the Sinhalese word "thoramalli", a group of gemstones found in Sri Lanka. According to the same source, the Tamil "thuvara-malli" comes from a Sinhalese root. This etymology is also taken from other standard dictionaries, including the Oxford English Dictionary.

story

Vibrant tourmalines from Sri Lanka were brought to Europe in large quantities by the Dutch East India Company to meet the demand for curiosities and gems. At that time, we did not know that schorl and tourmaline were the same mineral. It wasn't until around 1703 that some of the colored gemstones were discovered to be non-cubic zirconia.

The stones were sometimes called "Ceylon magnets" because, due to their pyroelectric properties, they could attract and then repel hot ash. In the XNUMXth century, chemists polarized light with crystals, casting rays onto the surface of a gemstone.

Tourmaline treatment

For some gemstones, especially pink to red ones, heat treatment can improve their color. Careful heat treatment can lighten the color of dark red stones. Exposure to gamma rays or electrons can enhance the pink color of a manganese-containing stone from nearly colorless to pale pink.

Illumination in tourmalines is almost imperceptible and does not affect the value at present. We can improve the quality of some stones such as Rubelite and Brazilian Paraiba, especially when the stones contain many inclusions. Through a laboratory certificate. A bleached stone, especially the Paraiba variety, will cost much less than an identical natural stone.

geology

Granite, pegmatites and metamorphic rocks are usually rocks such as slate and marble.

We have found schorl tourmalines and lithium-rich granites, as well as granitic pegmatites. Slate and marble are usually the only deposits of magnesium-rich stones and dravites. It is a durable mineral. We can find it in small amounts as grains in sandstone and conglomerate.

Settlements

Brazil and Africa are the main sources of the stones. Some napkin materials suitable for gemstone use are sourced from Sri Lanka. Apart from Brazil; The sources of production are Tanzania, as well as Nigeria, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Malawi.

The value of tourmaline and healing properties

The following section is pseudo-scientific and based on cultural beliefs.

Strengthens self-confidence and reduces anxiety. The stone attracts inspiration, compassion, tolerance and prosperity. Balances the right-left hemisphere of the brain. It helps cure paranoia, fights dyslexia and improves hand-eye coordination.

tourmaline stone

The two pink and green bicolor stones known as watermelon are the birthstone of October. Bicolor and pleochroic stones are the favorite stones of many jewelry designers because they can be used to create particularly interesting pieces of jewelry. This is not the original stone of October. It was added to most birthstone lists in 1952.

Turmalin under microskopem

FAQ

What are the benefits of tourmaline?

The stone is known to help relieve stress, increase mental alertness, improve blood circulation, and strengthen the immune system. It is a powerful detoxifier.

Is tourmaline an expensive stone?

The value has a very large range. The more common shapes can be quite inexpensive, but the rarer and more exotic colors can be very expensive. The most expensive and valuable form is the rare neon blue form known under the trade name Paraiba tourmaline.

What color is tourmaline?

It has many colors. Gemstones rich in iron are usually black to bluish black or dark brown, while magnesium rich varieties are brown to yellow, and lithium rich crystal necklaces come in almost any color: blue, green, red, yellow, pink, etc. It is rarely colorless.

How much does tourmaline cost?

These colorful gemstones are popular with collectors, with high-quality specimens selling for between $300 and $600 per carat. Other colors are usually cheaper, but any tiny brightly colored material can be quite valuable, especially in larger sizes.

Who can wear tourmaline?

Stones of people born in October. It is also given in the 8th year of marriage. It makes necklaces, rings, pendants, tourmaline bracelets…

What does tourmaline do for hair?

Crystalline boron silicate mineral that supports the smoothing process of the hair. The gemstone emits negative ions which counteract the positive ions present in dry or damaged hair. As a result, the hair becomes smooth and shiny. The stone even helps retain moisture in the hair and prevents tangles.

Can tourmaline be worn every day?

With a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, this gemstone can be worn daily but with care. If you are a person who works a lot with your hands, we recommend that you avoid wearing rings of any kind to reduce the risk of them accidentally hitting a hard object. Earrings and pendants are always a safe bet if you want to wear jewelry every day.

What is the best tourmaline color?

Bright, clean hues of red, blue, and green tend to be valued the most, but electrifying, bright hues from green to copper blue are so unique they're in a class of their own.

How to spot fake tourmaline?

Observe your stone in bright artificial light. Original gemstones slightly change color under artificial lighting, acquiring a dark tint. If your stone does not have this shade under artificial light, you are probably not looking at a real stone.

How strong is tourmaline?

The piezoelectric properties of the stone can help polarize human emotions and energy through the magneto-electric charge generated when the crystal is rubbed or heated.

Does tourmaline break easily?

It is 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, so it is not easy to break. However, there are areas of stress in the crystal that can cause cracking, but this can mostly happen when jewelers work with the stone.

How to clean tourmaline stone?

Warm soapy water is the best way to clean. The use of ultrasonic and steam cleaners is not recommended.

Natural tourmaline for sale in our gemstone shop

We make custom tourmaline jewelry such as wedding rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, pendants… Please contact us for a quote.