Tourmaline
from the Antique Jewelry University
Tourmaline is a large family of minerals composed of a complex boro-silicate. The most common species of the tourmaline group is Elbaite (named after the island of Elba in the Mediterranean) and it occurs in all colors of the rainbow. It was first brought to Europe by Dutch traders whom also discovered its pyro-electric effect. When heated, tourmaline is electrically charged and this charge was used to attract ashes from a smoked pipe and these stones received the glorious name of asschentrekker (old Dutch for ash puller).
Another property which tourmaline is famous for is its ability to totally block color when viewed in a particular direction and it is due to this strong selective absorption property that some darker stones were used as early polarizing filters.
There are many color varieties in the tourmaline group and some have distinctive tradenames:
- Rubellite - pink to red
- Verdelite - green
- Indicolite - blue
- Achroite - colorless
- Dravite - brown
- Schorl - black
- Watermelon - pink core with a green periphery
- parti-colored - several colors in one stone
More recently a variety was discovered in the Paraiba state of Brazil which exhibits neon colors and these are also found in the neighboring state Rio Grande do Norte, as well as in Africa.
| Gemological information for tourmaline | |
|---|---|
| Color | All colors |
| Crystal structure | Trigonal |
| Family | Tourmaline |
| Refractive index | 1.624-1.644 |
| Durability | Very durable |
| Hardness | 7 |
| Treatments | Sometimes heat treated |
| Tourmaline care | |
| Ultrasonic cleaning | Not safe |
| Steam cleaning | Usually safe |
| Warm soapy water | Safe |
| Chemical attack | Stable |
| Light sensitivity | Stable |
| Heat sensitivity | May change color |