single color tourmaline stones are rare

<< Household Topics  Mapquest Driving Directions >>

Tourmaline has the unique composition of aluminum boron silicate and mixed crystals. No two stones are alike and finding one with a single color is rare. Most are multi-colored and have pleochroismatic properties as well. This means that by changing the angle of the stone and the direction of the light the colors or shades change. Each color has its own name and they range from colorless to black.
The name tourmaline comes from Sri Lanka. The word tura mali roughly translates to "mixed colored stone." Because of the magnetic properties, they are believed to have therapeutic effects on the body.
Not all tourmaline stones have the same value in the market. Some varieties are especially rare and valuable, while others are nearly as inexpensive as quartz. In between are a range of fascinating colors that represent some of the best values in the gemstone world.
Surely the most rare and expensive tourmaline is the so-called paraiba, an electric blue-green variety that was first discovered in the Brazilian state of Paraiba in 1989. Colored by copper and manganese, this new variety caused a sensation in the market.
Tourmaline is a good jewelry stone. It has a hardness of 7 - 7.5 on the Mohs scale. All Tourmaline jewelry should be stored in a separate compartment or in a jewelry bag to prevent scratching by harder Gemstones. tourmaline rings should be cleaned in warm, soapy water with a soft brush. Any of the Tourmaline colors can be used as one of the birth stones for October. Tourmaline is also the recommended gem for married couples who are celebrating their 8th wedding anniversary. Heat treatment is common on dark color gems, otherwise occasional. Irradiation is occasional.

Friends Articles

Leave a Reply