Tourmaline – Harry & Co Jewellery

General Information about Tourmaline

Tourmaline is a mineral that belongs to the tourmaline group.
It is a complex borosilicate mineral with a wide range of colors.
Tourmaline is classified into different species based on its chemical composition.
It is commonly found in granite and pegmatite rocks.
Tourmaline is widely used in jewelry due to its beauty and variety of colors.
Tourmaline is piezoelectric, meaning it can generate an electric charge when subjected to pressure.
It exhibits strong pleochroism, meaning it can show different colors when viewed from different angles.
Tourmaline has a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, making it suitable for everyday wear.
It has a high refractive index, giving it excellent brilliance and sparkle.
Tourmaline can be found in various crystal habits, including prismatic, columnar, and bladed forms.

The most common types of tourmaline are schorl, dravite, elbaite, and uvite.
Tourmaline can occur in a wide range of colors, including black, brown, green, blue, pink, and watermelon (bi-color).
Some tourmaline varieties, such as Paraiba tourmaline, are highly valued for their intense blue or green colors.
Color zoning is common in tourmaline crystals, resulting in bands or sectors of different colors.
Tourmaline can also exhibit cat's eye and star effects, adding to its desirability.

Tourmaline is found in many countries worldwide, including Brazil, Afghanistan, Nigeria, and the United States.
It is commonly associated with pegmatite veins and granitic rocks.
Tourmaline can also be found in metamorphic rocks, such as schist and gneiss.
Gem-quality tourmaline is often found in alluvial deposits, where it has been transported by water.
Certain geological conditions, such as the presence of boron and lithium, favor the formation of tourmaline.

Tourmaline is highly valued as a gemstone and is used in various types of jewelry, including rings, earrings, and necklaces.
It is believed to have metaphysical properties, such as promoting healing, protection, and emotional balance.
Tourmaline is used in the field of science and technology, particularly in piezoelectric sensors and electronic devices.
Black tourmaline, also known as schorl, is used for its grounding and protective properties in crystal healing.
Tourmaline is also used in the creation of artworks, sculptures, and decorative objects.

Tourmaline is found in a wide variety of colors, ranging from black to colorless, and various shades in-between.
The main tourmaline producing countries include Brazil, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Mozambique.
Brazil is the largest producer of tourmaline.
The name "tourmaline" is derived from the Sinhalese word "tōramalli," which means carnelian gemstones.
Heat treatment can alter the color of tourmaline, especially pink to red stones.
Tourmalines are difficult to detect for irradiation, making it hard to determine if a stone has been treated.

Reference	URL
Glossary	https://harryandcojewellery.com.au/blogs/glossary/tourmaline
Wikipedia	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourmaline
Wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q179911
Knowledge Graph	https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/07qrp