Is tourmaline a precious gem?

A tourmaline is a semi-precious gemstone that comes in more colors and color combination than any other gemstone, staying true to its name, which comes from the Sinhalese word “turmali,” meaning “mixed.” Due to the wide range of colors, tourmalines are often mistaken for many other gemstones.

Is tourmaline worth any money?

Prices. The prices of tourmaline vary tremendously, depending on the variety and quality. Most expensive are the Paraíba tourmalines, which may reach tens of thousands of dollars per carat. Chrome tourmalines, rubellites and fine indicolites and bi-colors may sell for as much as $1000/ct. or more.

Is tourmaline a rare stone?

Most colors are fairly common, but pure blue, red, orange, yellow, and purple stones are rare. Such stones usually command higher prices. Color-change tourmalines are also exceptionally rare.

What makes tourmaline expensive?

The more saturated the color intensity the finer the Tourmaline. Hence, when judging a Tourmaline for color quality – the more intense/vivid the color saturation, the more valuable the stone.

What is the most valuable tourmaline?

The rarest and most expensive tourmaline is the paraiba variety -- a neon-like blue or green that is colored by traces of copper. It was first discovered in the Brazilian state of Paraiba in 1989.

What Is Tourmaline - Gemstone Facts and Information

Is tourmaline precious or semiprecious?

A tourmaline is a semi-precious gemstone that comes in more colors and color combination than any other gemstone, staying true to its name, which comes from the Sinhalese word “turmali,” meaning “mixed.” Due to the wide range of colors, tourmalines are often mistaken for many other gemstones.

How can you tell if tourmaline is real?

The simplest way to check black tourmaline is to scratch the side of the crystal with a steel knife. Tourmaline is an extremely hard stone and therefore should not scratch, but if the knife becomes blunt or scratched the stone is likely real.

Is tourmaline or emerald more expensive?

Emerald is, carat-for-carat, much more expensive than tourmaline when both are of the same grade. What is this? And the truth is that lower grade tourmaline is most often sold as specimens to collectors, while even opaque emerald is usually cut to increase its value.

Where is tourmaline most commonly found?

Localities. Gem and specimen tourmaline is mined chiefly in Brazil and many parts of Africa, including Tanzania, Nigeria, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi, and Namibia.

Which is more expensive aquamarine or tourmaline?

Other aquamarine deposits are located in China, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Ukraine, the United States and Zambia. This also makes aquamarine more affordable than paraiba tourmaline in comparison to the cost per carat.

What does tourmaline symbolize?

It is worn to promote sympathy towards others. It is an excellent stone for healers and counselors because it promotes better listening and understanding. It carries the virtue of unconditional love and friendship. In fact, pink tourmaline radiates the highest amount of love of all the different colored tourmalines.

What is tourmaline good for?

Many hold tourmaline healing crystals over the body's chakras to clear the aura, remove blockages, break up negative energy, and point to specific problems that one may be carrying. As a healing crystal, tourmaline helps you understand yourself and others, promotes self-confidence, and lessens fear.

Can tourmaline be worn everyday?

Can tourmaline jewelry be worn every day? With a rating between 7 and 7.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, tourmaline jewelry can be worn every day, but with caution.

Does tourmaline scratch easily?

Tourmaline sits moderately high on its level of durability. On the hardness scale, Tourmaline ranges from 7.0 – 7.5 on the Mohs scale, making it scratch resistant to matters that fall at a lower number than 7.

What is the most common color of tourmaline?

The most common tourmaline color is black, but the mineral occurs in all colors of the spectrum.

What is the best cut for tourmaline?

This variety is known as verdalite, and while the dominant color is green, there may be tints of blue or yellow. If you are looking for green tourmaline, mint green color is often considered the best. In terms of cut, brilliant or checkerboard cuts are best for this type of tourmaline, due to its brilliance.

Is tourmaline stone magnetic?

Tourmaline gems often contain high concentrations of iron and/or manganese, and they are the most magnetic of all natural transparent gemstones that are allochromatic (colored by impurities).

How many types of tourmaline are there?

Only 4 species of tourmaline are of real importance to gemologists. The most common species of tourmaline is schorl, the sodium iron (divalent) endmember of the group.

Is tourmaline stronger than emerald?

What is the difference? As emeralds are part of the beryl family, they are known to have a hardness of 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale. Most emeralds are highly included, which adds to their unique charm. Tourmaline ranks 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale.

Is tourmaline a hard gem?

Tourmaline ranks 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. Its toughness is considered Fair. Tourmaline is generally stable to light and isn't affected by exposure to chemicals, but heat can damage a tourmaline. High heat can alter the color, and sudden temperature change (thermal shock) can cause fracturing.

How do you tell the difference between an emerald and a green tourmaline?

When looking at an Emerald, the pleochroic colors you will see are yellowish-green and bluish-green, while for the Tourmaline it will be pale green and dark green. Emeralds are usually mined in rough hexagonal shapes, while Green Tourmaline is usually trigonal-shaped crystals with longitudinal striations.

Who can wear tourmaline stone?

Anyone can wear Tourmaline. There is no harmful impact of this gem. Tuesday and Saturday should be avoided for wearing this sub-stone. Rest all weekdays are favorable for wearing this substitute.

What does tourmaline smell like?

It looks like burnt wood, the oil of earth, and possesses the smell of blown flame.

Can you polish tourmaline?

By far, the best combination for polishing garnets and tourmalines is a phenolic lap phenolic lap and an aluminium oxide aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) abrasive. I've often used and recommended tin laps and oxide polishes for these stones, but tin laps are just too expensive.