Mineral grupp:Turmalin
Kemi: Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)-(OH)3(OH)
Färg: Alla färger och även flera färger i samma sten
Kristallsystem: Trigonal
Mohs hårdhet: 7-7,5
Ljusbrytning: 1.614 - 1.666
Dubbelbrytning: 0.014 - .0.040
Densitet: 2,85-3,35
May be confused with
Such a wide group can be confused with most other gemstones. Important in respect to confusion, what color, clarity, and features stone has.
Instruments for identification
- Tourmaline belong to the triagonal crystalline system and are anisotropic. This can be seen with the is the Polariscope.
- Of course you use a refractometer to determine the refractive index, which should be between 1.614 to 1.666.
- Density is measured by hydrostatic weighing.
- Any inclusions can be viewed with the microscope, as well as, and this is very important, any color changes and / or color zoning.
Known deposits
Tourmaline is found in many places. Certain unusual or particularly qualitative variants may have very few localities.
Treatments
Heat treatment can occur but normaly tourmalines are untreated.
Miscellaneous
The chamelion of gemstones because of its many colours and colour combinations. Many varities of tourmaline have their own names. Multicolour tourmalines are very sought after and expensive. One example is the form called Watermelon tourmaline wich we also at Riddgem is very attracted to.
Tourmaline is know already from antiquity Mediterranean region. But was as late as 1700 started to be imported to Holland from Sri Lanka and then have its sinhalese name turmali wich means stone with many colours.
Read/learn more about Tourmaline by klick link on respective kind (klick return button in your browser when you want to go back to Riddgem).
Varieties/Types
Achroite - A colourless variety of Tourmaline
Dravite - A sodium magnesium aluminium tourmaline species.
Elbaite - A sodium lithium aluminium tourmaline species.
Indicolite - A blue gemmy variety of tourmaline (usually elbaite).
Rubellite - A pink to red gem variety of tourmaline.
Schorl - A sodium iron aluminium tourmaline species.
Uvite - A calcium magnesium aluminium tourmaline species.
Verdelite - A green gem variety of tourmaline
Gemstone Guides & Knowledge
Read more about Tourmaline on RIDDGEM Blog
Watch movies and Shorts about Tourmaline on RIDDGEM YouTube
Tourmaline in Healing (Source: ChatGPT)
Tourmaline is one of the most versatile and powerful crystals in healing. It comes in several colors, each with unique properties, but what they all have in common is that they offer protection, grounding, and energy cleansing.
Read/learn more about Tourmaline – Healing Properties
