Pick a color – any
color – and you’ll find a beautiful tourmaline
to match. Occurring in more colors and combinations of
colors than any other gem variety, tourmaline offers
both vibrancy and beauty. And if an incredible range
of colors among different tourmalines isn’t enough,
individual crystals can vary in color along their length
or width.
Gems cut from these multi-colored crystals
may in fact show two or more color combinations in one
gemstone!
Tourmaline has been historically confused with many other
gemstones, and understandably so. The finest greens can
rival an emerald or tsavorite garnet. Beautiful yellow
and red tourmalines mimic the look of fine fancy sapphires. A relatively recent
discovery of tourmalines in 1989 in the Paraiba state of Brazil revealed brilliant
hues of blues and greens more vivid than any ever seen before. These Paraiba
tourmalines have been described as neon green, electric blue and sizzling turquoise.
Tourmaline’s
colorful nature, increased availability and attractive
affordability have led to a tremendous growth in its popularity
over the past 20 years. Birthstone
Pink tourmaline is a popular alternate for the month of October.
Origins
Some of the finest examples of tourmaline today are mined in Southern California
near San Diego. Other important sources include Brazil, Sri Lanka, Madagascar
and Africa. The state of Maine is an important historical source for tourmaline
and still produces small quantities today.
Treatments
Some tourmalines are heated or irradiated to bring out their best color. Some
treated tourmalines may fade if exposed to high heat or very prolonged exposure
to intense light.
Care
Tourmaline is a hard gemstone that is resistant to both scratching and breaking,
but it should be protected from sharp blows or sudden changes in temperature.
Because of the natural internal characteristics found in some tourmalines, especially
pinks and reds, ultrasonic cleaning machines should not be used. Tourmaline can
be cleaned with most any commercial jewelry cleaner or plain soap and water using
a soft brush.
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