|
All
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Tourmaline Names: Gemstone vs. Mineral VarietiesThe tourmaline group refers to a number of related gemstone varieties and mineral species. The most commonly used names in the gemstone business, like Paraiba tourmaline (copper-bearing neon blue-green), rubellite tourmaline (purplish to red tourmaline) and indicolite (blue tourmaline), are actually tourmaline gemstone trade names, rather than their corresponding gemological mineral or species names.  Paraiba, Indicolite and Rubellite Tourmaline
The gemological mineral names used to identify and distinguish the several different tourmaline varieties are classified according to their chemical composition, rather than their color. This is the same convention used in distinguishing the many different members of the garnet group, where the term andradite, for example, is used to pick out the calcium iron silicates of the garnet family.
Most of the tourmaline that is sold as gemstones is a variety of elbaite, a lithium rich variety of tourmaline that occurs in transparent and translucent crystals in a wide range of colors. Elbaite is named after the Island of Elba in Italy, known as the site of Napoleon's exile after his forced abdication in 1814. Gemstone varieties of elbaite, include green verdite, pink tourmalines, red tourmaline, blue tourmalines and more. Another variety of tourmaline that is commonly found is schorl, an iron rich type of tourmaline that is opaque and black. Schorl is widely available in the form of black tourmaline - it accounts for more than 90% of the tourmaline in nature - and because of its common occurance, it is rather inexpensive. It is extremely popular as a jewelry gemstone because it takes a good polish and large stones can be had for very affordable prices.
The less common tourmaline varieties include buergerite, dravite, liddicoatite and uvite. Buergerite, named after the MIT mineralogist Martin Buerger, is an iron-rich tourmaline variety that occurs in bronze, brown and black hues. Dravite is magnesium tourmaline that is dark-yellow to brownish-black in color. It is named after the Drava River area of what is now Slovenia. The most well-known gemstone variety of dravite is chrome tourmaline, or sometimes referred to as chrome dravite. Liddicoatite is a type of calcium tourmaline, named in honor of Richard Liddicoat, the GIA gemologist who invented the diamond grading system. It is found in a range of colors, including blue, brown, green, pink and red. Uvite is magnesium/iron-rich tourmaline and was named after a province in Sri Lanka. It is usually dark-green to black in color. One of the unusual features of uvite is that it tends to form stubby crystals rather than long prismatic crystals like most other tourmaline varieties.
About Us
Overall Rating -> 10 I purchase all of my stones from GemSelect! They're the best I've found for both selection and value. Posted By Terry in June, 2023 Source: Bizrate Overall Rating -> 10 I have been here before, so I know how the site works. I enjoy looking at the gems and buying some. The site functions well. Posted By Bugs in June, 2022 Source: Bizrate Overall Rating -> 10 This business makes it easy to research and find all pertinent information about the individual gemstones and other information such as the recommend use (ring or pendent for example). Also it's important to know about things like hardness and durability of the gemstones. I also appreciate the history of purchases and transaction details. Just be sure to register on the website to get the best experience. Posted By Greg in January, 2023 Source: Bizrate Overall Rating -> 10 I was very happy with the simplicity and prices of gemselect.com. the sites filters and navigation style made it simple to find exactly what I was looking for. I will definitely be buying from gemselect ago. Compared to other online stone sellers, the prices and availability of gemselect was amazing. Posted By Jl1996 in November, 2022 Source: Bizrate Overall Rating -> 10 Gems look fantastic and just as advertised. Posted By Jess in October, 2022 Source: Bizrate Overall Rating -> 10 The product was held up in Anchorage Alaska due to customs. It was also delayed in the U.S. by bad weather. Final delivery was not until the 29th of December. Posted By Dick in December, 2022 Source: Bizrate Related Articles Tourmaline Gem Info Tourmaline Information - The most colorful gem on Earth ... Natural Gem, Unnatural Name Natural Gemstones, Unnatural Names ... Tourmaline Buying Guide Tourmaline Buying Guide - What to look for in the world of tourmaline ... Mozambique Tourmaline Mozambique Tourmaline Gemstones - One man's lucky strike. ... Tourmaline in America Tourmaline in America - The US's home grown colorful gemstone. ... Tourmaline Value Tourmaline Value - Which is the most valuable variety? ... Hemimorphite Gems Hemimorphite Gems ... Paraiba Tourmaline Gems Paraiba Tourmaline Gemstones - Brazil's dazzling discovery ... Chrome Tourmaline Info Chrome Tourmaline Information - an extremely rare green gemstone. ... Mikimoto Kokichi Mikimoto Kokichi - Legendary Jeweler and Inventor of Cultured Pearls ... |
| STAY IN TOUCH |
| *You're signing up to receive GemSelect promotional email. |
Privacy Notice © 2005-2023 GemSelect.com all rights reserved.
Reproduction (text or graphics) without the express written consent of GemSelect.com (SETT Company Ltd.) is strictly prohibited.
1301
|
More Shapes
|
English speaking customer support only
|
|
Toll Free - USA & Canada only: |
Save Money
No shipping Fees for Additional Items!
$8.90 Worldwide Shipping
|
Update Translation
|
||||
|
||||
|
Size and Weight
|
|
Gems are always measured in Millimeter (mm) Dimensions are given as; Select gems by size, not by weight! Note: 1ct = 0.2g  |
