Tourmaline is a natural gemstone known for its exceptionally wide range of colors and a truly variable chemical composition. It is one of the most versatile stones used in jewelry since it comes in soft pastel tones as well as intense, bold colors. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this chameleon of gemstones.
- What are tourmalines?
- The history and legends around tourmalines
- The importance of tourmalines: Their meaning and symbolism
- The scientific properties of tourmalines
- KLENOTA tourmaline jewelry
- How to take care of tourmalines
- Tourmaline deposits in the Czech Republic and around the world
- Interesting facts and some famous tourmaline finds
What are tourmalines?
Tourmalines are minerals that are particularly attractive for their color. Their name comes from Sri Lanka, from the Sinhalese tribe, who call the stone toramallí which means “the stone that is polluted with particles of ash." According to another interpretation, it means "the stone with mixed colors" or "mixed gemstones." Tourmalines were brought to Europe in the 18th century and for a long time they were confused with other gems, especially emeralds and rubies. Only modern advances in mineralogy made it possible to identify them accurately.
The history and legends around tourmalines
People have known about tourmalines since ancient times. Historical sources document their use in Egypt, India, and China where they were valued for their color and aesthetic appeal. In Europe, they only became popular in the modern era and mainly because of imports from Brazil and Sri Lanka.
Tourmalines are also associated with a number of legends that focus on their colorful appearance. These stories contributed to their popularity, even though these days, they have no basis in science. In modern jewelry, however, their significance is based primarily on their visual and physical properties, not on stories from legends.
The importance of tourmalines: Their meaning and symbolism
From a cultural point of view, tourmalines have historically been associated with harmony, balance, and protection in various civilizations. The individual colors had various meanings assigned to them such as pink for emotions, green for nature and growth, and blue for inner peace.
In our modern context, it’s appropriate to view these meanings more as part of the stone’s historical symbolism. In jewelry, tourmaline is primarily significant as a visually striking gemstone that’s easy to work with from a technical point of view.
The scientific properties of tourmalines
Tourmalines are cyclosilicates and are typical minerals found in pegmatite and granite rocks. However, they can also occur in metamorphic rocks as well as hydrothermal and alpine veins.
They form tabular crystals (schorls), needle-like or prismatic crystals with longitudinal grooves which usually have a triangular cross-section. They can be grown or ingrown and reach lengths of over one meter with varying degrees of thickness. The crystals often form various aggregates, which can be disordered or radiating. The radiating aggregates are also called tourmaline suns.
In terms of physical properties, the following are important in jewelry making:
-
hardness (7–7.5 on the Mohs scale)
-
a vitreous luster
-
a conchoidal fracture
-
an imperfect cleavage
A typical feature of tourmalines is pleochroism, which is a change in color intensity when the stone is viewed from different directions. Another interesting feature are the mineral’s piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties which cause the crystals to become electrically charged when heated or rubbed.
Tourmaline colors and varieties
There are no other gemstones with the variety of color that tourmalines have. Their chemical composition directly impacts their color and this can vary even within a single crystal.
Pink tourmalines (rubellites)
Pink to red tourmalines are known as rubellites and they happen to be some of the most popular varieties of tourmaline in jewelry making, mainly due to their good color saturation and transparency. They are often used in rings and earrings.
Green tourmalines (verdelites)
Verdelites are a green variety of tourmaline that can come in very subtle as well as deep shades of green. In jewelry, they are valued as an alternative to emeralds and they are often also more durable and available.
Blue tourmalines (indigolites)
Indigolites are characterized by various shades of blue ranging from light blue through dark blue-green. They are a less common variety and quality stones are highly valued.
Watermelon tourmaline
Watermelon tourmalines are a multicolored variety with a pink center and a green edge. They are a typical example of color zoning and are often used in jewelry as solitaire stones.
Paraíba tourmalines
Paraíba tourmalines are an extremely rare variety with a turquoise blue color caused by the presence of copper. They originate in Brazil and are some of the most expensive tourmalines on the market.
The various groups of Tourmalines
Tourmalines are part of a large group of minerals that vary in chemical composition, color, and physical properties. According to a Gemological Institute of America (GIA) classification, tourmalines are divided into several main groups. The way they are classified is based on the dominant chemical elements in their crystal structure and is key to their use in jewelry.
Elbaites
In jewelry, the most important group of tourmalines are elbaites. They are rich in lithium and include most of the known color varieties used in fine jewelry. Elbaites are characterized by the widest range of colors and often form transitional crystals with schorl.
The elbaite group of tourmalines includes, for example:
-
green tourmalines (verdelites),
-
pink to red tourmalines (rubelites),
-
blue tourmalines (indigolites),
-
multicolored melon tourmalines,
-
paraiba tourmalines,
-
achroites, olenites, and rossmanites.
Dravites
Dravites are a group of tourmalines whose color is predominantly influenced by magnesium, sodium, and aluminum. They occur mainly in marble, dolomites, some igneous rocks, and in pegmatites. Dravites are less common in jewelry and they usually appear as cut stones with a brown to orange color. A characteristic feature of this group is its distinctive dichroism which is the ability to display different colors when viewed from different angles.
Uvites
Uvites are a group of tourmalines that are only used in jewelry making very rarely. Their chemical composition is mainly influenced by magnesium, aluminum, and calcium. The crystals tend to be shorter, often tabular, and generally mixed with dravites. Uvites are most often found in dolomites and limestones. Well known examples include green crystals from Myanmar and gold-brown tourmalines from Sri Lanka.
Schorls
Schorls are the most commonly found tourmalines in nature. They are usually black and opaque and only rarely occur in a translucent form. Their color is mainly due to their iron and sodium content. Schorls often occur together with dravites and they are also found in the Czech Republic, especially in the Vysočina region. They are only marginally used in jewelry and are more significant from a mineralogical and collector's point of view.
Liddicoatites
Liddicoatites are a specific type of tourmaline rich in calcium, lithium, and aluminum. They are characterized by an extraordinary range of colors and are some of the most colorful tourmalines of all.
Liddicoatite crystals combine pink, green, yellow-brown, and green-brown colors and often exhibit distinct color zoning. They are mainly found in granite igneous rocks, especially in Madagascar.
In the past, large liddicoatite crystals were cut into polished plates that highlighted their color structure. These pieces are now very rare and highly valued. Liddicoatites are also cut into faceted stones in such a way as to preserve the stone's maximum color diversity.
Tourmalines in KLENOTA jewelry
Tourmalines are used in jewelry making because of their color diversity and good mechanical properties. Tourmalines, especially the pink and green varieties have a permanent place in our range. Whether you choose a necklace, ring, or earrings with this stone, this jewelry will become an everyday item that you’ll fall in love with.
Pink tourmalines look best in rose gold. This gives them a very romantic and dainty feel. Green tourmalines go beautifully with yellow gold and look refreshingly modern but if you really want to shine, choose tourmaline jewelry with diamonds which emphasize and accentuate the color of the gemstone.
How to take care of tourmaline jewelry
Tourmalines are suitable for everyday wear but there are some basic guidelines to be mindful of. We recommended that you:
-
store the jewelry separately in a soft box,
-
remove it when doing housework, cooking, and sports,
-
avoid sudden temperature changes.
Lukewarm water, a mild detergent, and a soft brush are sufficient for cleaning but professional cleaning is always the safest option. If you own any of our jewelry pieces, bring them to us and we will be happy to clean them for free of charge, so they look like new again.
Tourmaline deposits in the Czech Republic and around the world
There are significant deposits of tourmaline in Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, Madagascar, the USA, Brazil and Sri Lanka among others. Rubellites are found mainly in Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Pakistan and particularly beautiful specimens are found in the United States. Indigolites are mined in northern Brazil, Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
But there’s no need to search for it so far away. Tourmaline has also been found in the Czech Republic, for example in the Vysočina and Písek regions but the quality of the stones found there is more for collectors. And two new varieties (elbaite rossmanite and povondrait) have even been discovered in the vicinity of Velké Meziříčí.
Interesting facts and some famous tourmaline finds
In the past, tourmalines were used not only in jewelry but also in art objects when they were carved into sculptures and snuff bowls. And due to their pyroelectric properties, they were used by the Dutch to clean smoking pipes.
When it comes to the length of their crystals, tourmalines are interesting record holders. The world's largest rubellite crystal called Raketa was discovered in the Minas Gerais mine in Jonas, Brazil, and measures 109 cm in length.
It’s also worth mentioning some historical mistakes, such as with the Czech Crown of St. Wenceslas which is decorated with "rubies" that were later identified as rubellites. But the Czech crown jewels were not the only ones where rubellites were mistaken for rubies. The Russian crown jewels and the "ruby" of Emperor Rudolf II was also similarly mislabeled.
