*Drágakövek, féldrágakövek / Gemstones, Semiprecious gemstones : Turmalin / Tourmaline

Képtárak:  Achát /Agate Jáspis / Jasper Variszcit / Variscite Turmalin / Tourmaline Gránát /Garnet Aventurin (színezett) / A venturine (colored) Iolit /Iolite Tigrisszem / Tigereye Lápisz /Lapis Szillmanit / Sillmanite Ónix (zöld) / Onix (green) Zoiszit / Zoisite Hipersztén / Hypersthene

Boasting a colorful and romantic history, Tourmaline rivals all but the most unique gems as it is found in an incredible array of gorgeous colors. Coming in a palette of over 100 different hues, Tourmaline is one of the world’s most diverse gemstones. This has resulted in the nickname “the chameleon gem,” which is doubly appropriate when you consider that one major source of Tourmaline is Madagascar, home to more than half of the world’s chameleon species!

While Tourmalines occur in large crystal sizes, Tourmaline of sufficient beauty to be set into jewelry is not available in great abundance. Because of their size, crystals are sometimes cut into long rectangular shapes following the axis of the crystal.
Tourmaline crystals occur in granitic pegmatite veins occurring in the great gem mining districts of Minas Gerais in Brazil, and the East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi and Madagascar.

In the summer of 1998 a new Tourmaline deposit was unearthed near the city of Ibadan in Nigeria, West Africa, proving to be one of the most significant Tourmaline discoveries in modern times.

Tourmaline is a group of mineral species. However, it’s the mineral Elbaite (named after the island of Elba near Italy’s west coast where it was discovered) that is responsible for almost all of Tourmaline’s most famous gem varieties. When used, the name “Elbaite” typically references Green Tourmaline, while the other colors of Elbaite have their own specific color-related names.

Tourmaline very occasionally displays the cat’s eye effect. Chatoyancy or the cat’s eye effect is a reflection effect that appears as a single bright band of light across the surface of a gemstone.

All Tourmalines can display pleochroism, meaning that its color changes when viewed at different angles. However, this can vary from specimen to specimen. In some, this effect is hardly noticeable, while in others it is strongly apparent. To bring out the best color, gemstone cutters must take this into account when faceting Tourmaline.

Kattints arra a képre, amelyiket nagyobb méretben szeretnél megnézni!