Tourmaline is a versatile gemstone available in various colors, including watermelon tourmaline, prized for its green, white, and red layers. It is found in many parts of the world and evaluated based on inclusions or defects. Tourmaline is generally affordable and can be a good substitute for other gems. Rubellite, a form of tourmaline, is a deep pink color and less expensive than rubies. Tourmaline is believed to promote healing and encourage joy in recreation and work.
Tourmaline is an eye-catching gemstone, available in a myriad of colors. Many are familiar with pink tourmaline, but the stones can also be blue, bicolor, colorless, chrome, or green. One prized formation is watermelon tourmaline, which is generally round and has green, white, and red layers, resembling a cut watermelon. Some stones are cut to show their multiple colors. Tourmaline emerald cuts that display chrome, light and green tones together are particularly desirable.
Tourmaline deposits can be found in many parts of the world, with large deposits in Africa and Brazil. Tourmaline is a chemical combination of mainly silicate, boron, and aluminum. The beautiful colors of the stone are primarily the result of its chromium, iron, vanadium and manganese components, and in some cases copper. The formation of tourmaline crystals is one of the most complicated.
Depending on the molecular structure, tourmaline has a hardness on the Mohs scale of 7 to 7.5. The harder stones are good for everyday wear, but tourmaline rings should probably be removed if you are doing heavy hand work, as the stones can break. The resin can coat the stones and some pink stones can be heated to produce the colorless variety. However, the colorless variety is the least valued, so pink is preferable.
Due to the play of colors in tourmaline stones, jewelers enjoy designing unique settings for them. No two tourmalines are the same. They also vary in quality and are evaluated based on inclusions or defects. Stones with fewer flaws are the most expensive, but tourmaline is generally not an expensive stone.
Prices for loose stones range from US$25 to US$50 per carat. Larger flawless stones may command a slightly higher price per carat. However, in general, these stones are quite affordable, particularly when compared to other gems. The color varieties can also make them good substitutes for sapphire or blue topaz especially.
One form of tourmaline, rubellite, is deep pink in color or can lean toward deeper red hues. Its price per carat is usually around 100 USD. Since it is considerably less expensive than rubies, it can be an excellent substitution and does not weigh heavily on the pocket. However, it cannot come close to the dark blue hues of the highest value rubies.
First described in the 16th century, tourmaline lore suggests that the stones promote healing. They are also supposed to encourage greater joy in recreation and at work, giving the wearer the ability to play well and work constructively. While these properties may not be well proven, the sight of these beautiful gems is sure to give the wearer great satisfaction.
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