Buy Orange Tourmaline Gems

About Orange Tourmaline Gemstones

Tourmaline is the gemological name for an outstanding group of mixed gem-quality boron silicate minerals. Tourmaline gemstones are available in all colors of the rainbow including orange. Tourmaline is considered to be one of today's most versatile gemstones. Tourmaline was used as a gemstone first around the 1500s, but tourmaline didn't make a name for itself until the 1800s. In 1875, George Kunz, an American mineral collector, introduced green tourmaline from the Mount Mica mine in Maine, USA to Tiffany & Co., which sparked an interest in tourmaline and led to its popularity on the mainstream jewelry market.

Buying Orange Tourmaline and Determining Gemstone Value

When purchasing orange tourmaline gemstones keep what you appreciate about the stone in mind. Larger stones are rarer than smaller stones, and as with all gems, orange tourmalines value increases with rarity. Generally speaking samples with intense color fetch higher prices than those with less intense or evenly distributed color. Purchase stones with the desired cut, color, clarity, and cost for your budget and reference these tips below as your buying guide for orange tourmaline gemstones.

Orange Tourmaline Gemstones Color

Tourmaline exhibits strong pleochroism, which means its crystals can display different colors depending on the angle from which one views them. When buying tourmaline, color intensity and saturation are the most critical factors.

Orange Tourmaline Gemstones Clarity and Luster

Tourmaline is typically transparent to translucent. The opaque material is standard for cat's eye tourmaline. According to GIA, most tourmaline is 'Type II' material regarding clarity, which means tourmaline has inclusions often. The level of inclusions can vary depending on the type of tourmaline, with some colors having more inclusions than others. When cut and polished, orange tourmaline exhibits a vitreous to sometimes slightly resinous luster.

Orange Tourmaline Gemstones Cut and Shape

Tourmaline is often cut into long rectangular bar shapes because of its elongated crystal habit. However, tourmaline is also available in various traditional and fancy forms and a range of cutting styles. Due to the strong pleochroism of tourmaline, lighter colored tourmaline is typically oriented with the table facet perpendicular to the central axis, to display the deepest hue. Conversely, darker stones are usually cut with the table parallel to the central axis.

Orange Tourmaline Gemstones Treatment

Most tourmaline is untreated, but some stones may be heated to improve color and clarity. Heavily included tourmaline may be clarity enhanced.