The name "tourmaline" appeared in Holland. Hitherto unknown stones called “turamali” or “toramali” arrived there from Sri Lanka. The Dutch did not know that on the island they called any gems that way...
In India, they not only valued precious stones, but also knew their magical and healing properties. Watermelon tourmaline stone was in great demand among men. After all, according to the Indian sages, it increased love fervor and sexual capabilities.
Informative: women were prohibited from wearing jewelry made from this type of crystal. A woman should not be too passionate and loving. This creates problems for their men.
In Antiquity, tourmalines were valued for their ability to give light and pleasant dreams and relax the body and soul.
Tourmalines of different colors
The extensive family of gems shines with a variety of colors. This is facilitated by the complex crystalline structure of the mineral and the large number of chemical elements included in its composition.
Tourmalines are complex borosilicates. Their composition of incoming elements can vary within wide limits. The chemical composition of the crystal determines their color.
Watermelon tourmaline is a polychrome variety of the mineral. These crystals have several zones, each colored differently.
Appearance
Tourmalines are characterized by columnar, needle-shaped, columnar and prismatic shapes.
The long crystals in the central part are painted pale pink, the border is light green. There are rare specimens with a bright pink center and a multi-layered border, in which the white color smoothly turns into an emerald green hue. Even more rarely, watermelon tourmalines are found with a “reverse” color - a green core surrounded by a pink frame.
One of the properties of the mineral is dichroism - the ability to absorb light differently. This means that a polychrome gem changes color depending on the lighting and viewing angle.
Properties of the gem
Like all tourmalines, watermelon stone has the following physical properties:
- glass shine;
- hardness 7-7.5 on the Mohs scale;
- dash color is white;
- refractive index 1.616-1.662;
- density 3.02-3.26 g/cm3;
- polychrome color, zonal color distribution;
- the fracture is uneven;
- fragile.
Crystals exhibit pyro- and piezoelectric properties. An electric charge appears on a crystal when it is rubbed or heated. In this case, one end of the crystal has a positive charge, the other - a negative one.
Informative: the famous Curie couple in 1880 discovered the presence of microcurrents on the surface of crystals. This revealed the secret of the strong “dust collection” of gems. We recommend: Sunstone YELLOW TOPAZ
Tourmalines are important in industry and science. These are radio and microelectronics, medical devices.
The color of polychrome crystals can have up to five differently colored zones. Color colors are distributed perpendicularly or parallel to the main axis of the crystal. The second type is watermelon tourmaline. With a perpendicular color distribution, the crystals have a black or red top. Such gems have the trade names “Moor’s head” and “Turk’s head”.
Properties of bright and colorless stones
Blue gem (indigolite) helps to establish the hormonal system. Helps eliminate headaches and sharpens vision. Especially useful for those who spend a lot of time at the computer.
Crimson tourmalines (sibirites) are mined in our country, in the Urals and Siberia. They are distinguished by bright, crimson, red and purple shades.
Interesting are Burmese crystals, dark red or garnet in tone. It is believed that the stone looks like a frozen drop of blood. If you study the mineral for a long time, it may seem that it is scratched from the inside. But by running along its edges, you will be convinced that it has a perfectly smooth surface.
Colorless tourmalines (archoites) are the rarest and most expensive among these gems. Mining is carried out only on the island of Elba. To date, this is the only known deposit. Stones are used in meditation as they promote concentration and purification of thoughts.
Where is watermelon tourmaline found?
Deposits of polychrome tourmaline:
- Africa (Mozambique, Angola, Zambia, Tanzania);
- China;
- Madagascar;
- Sri Lanka;
- Namibia;
- Afghanistan;
- Nepal;
- Italy (Elba Island);
- Canada.
In Brazil, “classic” watermelon tourmalines are mined - a pink or red core, bordered by a stripe of green zone of different shades. In South Africa, Brazil and Myanmar, a variety called “eye” is found - with a green core and a red border.
We recommend reading about pink tourmaline - rubellite and black tourmaline - schorl.
An interesting and rare variety of multi-colored gems is liddicoatite. When cut, these stones have a kaleidoscopic multi-colored pattern.
For lovers of mineralogy: Liddicoatite got its name in honor of the American mineralogist Liddicoat. He is known for creating the grading system for diamonds (4C GIA).
In Russia, multi-colored crystals are found in the Middle Urals and Transbaikalia.
Origin
Watermelon tourmaline is a stunningly beautiful multi-colored mineral with a red core and green rind. Classified as a precious stone due to its two-color color, tourmalines of one color are not valued as much as multi-colored ones.
Since ancient times in India, the stone has been especially popular among the male population. Women were not allowed to have it, so that they would not become more loving and attractive. In VII, sailors brought the mineral from Ceylon to Europe. In Rus', tourmaline stone appeared a little earlier - it was brought from the East in the 16th century. In Byzantium, as early as the 11th century, frames were made from precious metals.
The mineral deposit is found in granites and granitoids. Occasionally they can be found in gneisses and shales. Tourmaline mining is carried out in Sri Lanka, China, Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique, India, Canada, Switzerland, and South Africa. In Russia, tourmaline deposits were discovered in the Urals, Transbaikalia and the Kola Peninsula.
According to the legend of Ancient Egypt, tourmaline is of extraterrestrial origin; it fell to Earth from the Sun, flying through a rainbow and absorbing its many colors. According to another legend, tourmaline wands were used by skilled magicians in the Andes, since only this mineral can help selected people take advantage of ancient knowledge and reach a different level of worldview.
The third legend says that tourmaline appeared on Earth due to higher forms of life. The mineral will help the souls of people enter the Aquamarine era along a bridge made of colored stone and realize the unity of the world.
Magical properties of the gem
The properties of watermelon tourmaline as a protective stone are quite high. A gem amulet placed in the house will protect the family space
The magical properties of the gem are largely aimed at the sphere of emotions and love. If there is a break in a relationship, a watermelon tourmaline talisman will gently heal a mental wound. Unrequited love will not cause difficult experiences, and will pass like a quick summer rain - if you have a polychrome tourmaline amulet.
Watermelon Tourmaline Jewelry
Such amulets give a sense of internal security and encourage the owner to live in harmony with the outside world.
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The gem, according to lithotherapists, will help the owner prolong the youth of the soul and body. The stone is suitable for creative people - poets, artists, writers; it will be a source of inspiration and will help the imagination take off.
An amulet made of watermelon tourmaline will help a student concentrate on his studies and exams.
Wearing “electric jewelry” made of multi-colored stones means not only healing yourself and protecting yourself from magical attacks and the evil eye. The cheerful pieces of “stone berry” are also a delight for the eyes.
A little history
People have long been familiar with the beautiful gemstone. In Byzantium it was set in gold and silver. starting from the 11th-12th centuries, from there it came to Rus'. Later, already in Russia, tourmalines were found in the Ural deposits, and then in Transbaikalia, so tourmaline became a popular gem among noble and wealthy people. A rare specimen weighing about 500 carats adorned the crown of the Russian Tsarina Anna Ioannovna.
Tourmaline came to England and other European countries from colonial countries - India, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Madagascar and Mozambique.
Treat yourself with a “delicious” gem
The healing properties of watermelon tourmaline are based on its physical properties. The gem can be used in air ionizers. Lithotherapists would readily use the stone. But there are many types of cheaper minerals, and they are used for medicinal purposes.
Jewelry with watermelon tourmaline
Tourmaline products can remove:
- depression;
- panic attacks;
- insomnia;
- stress;
- improve blood circulation;
- strengthen immunity;
- reduce joint pain.
Earrings and beads with watermelon tourmaline will help stabilize blood pressure and normalize metabolism. This type of gem (according to lithotherapists) will help restore peace of mind and quickly come to compromises in life.
Attention: it is not recommended to wear jewelry with tourmalines for people with a pacemaker, thyroid problems, or fever.
Care and treatment. Price
Watermelon tourmaline and other types of stone need to be cleaned every two months using a warm solution of water moistened with oil. It is recommended to wipe the edges with a regular scarf or napkin.
The price of watermelon tourmaline is quite high. Varies from $100 to $900 per carat of polychrome crystal. The transparency of the color scheme and the size of the stone, in which specimens may differ from each other, are factors that influence its cost. Collectors are willing to pay thousands of dollars for some pieces.
Astrology of Watermelon Tourmaline
According to the horoscope, “stone pieces of watermelon” are suitable for Leo, Capricorn, and Sagittarius. The stone will help everyone stay young and attractive longer. Aries will tame their overly passionate temperament if they wear jewelry with a “tasty” stone. For Scorpios, with their often gloomy, gloomy energy, a bit of fun that a piece of jewelry made from a multi-colored stone will bring into their lives will not hurt.
The only zodiac sign that is not recommended to wear jewelry with a gem often and for a long time is Virgo.
Use in making jewelry
The beauty of the stone was appreciated in ancient times: priests in South America used sticks made from the mineral during religious rituals. In the Middle Ages, watermelon tourmaline was used to make jewelry for noble people and church decorations.
Watermelon tourmaline is not heat treated and prefers to be slightly cut. The crystal is shaped into a cabochon or rectangle. Some jewelers refuse traditional processing - they cut the mineral into “slices”, emphasizing the natural beauty of the gem.
The stone is set in a gold or silver frame. Rings and earrings are most often made with watermelon tourmaline. Pendants, beads and bracelets are less popular. The gem looks great as a single solitaire; its beauty is lost in combination with other crystals. The jewelry should not be worn constantly. Natural magic is enhanced when the jewelry is worn from time to time when help is needed.
The mineral has the ability to attract dust and gets dirty easily. Once every six months, jewelry is cleaned with soapy water, washed with clean water and wiped with a dry cloth. Products with tourmalines are stored in cardboard boxes or bags made of thick fabric separately from other jewelry.
Note! Watermelon tourmaline tends to fade when exposed to bright sunlight. Jewelry with minerals should not be worn on the beach or in the solarium.
How to recognize imitations
There are no high-quality fakes on the market. There is a method in which silicon workpieces are bombarded with aluminum, boron, and potassium ions. But this is not profitable.
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Cheaper stones or colored glass are often passed off as tourmalines.
How to spot a fake:
- Natural tourmaline is difficult to scratch, unlike glass.
- Rub the stone until warm. After this, the real mineral will attract dust, hairs, and pieces of paper.
- Take a closer look at the color of the gem. The fake has an even color, without tints or halftones.
How to spot a fake
Glass is the cheapest and most popular material for fraudulent imitations. It's easy to spot a fake. If the stone is natural, there are no scratches left on it, and they appear on the glass immediately, the first time you touch it with a sharp object. When examining tourmaline against the light, pay attention to the fact that inside a real gem there are always no adhesions or wavy inclusions, and the colors blend into each other smoothly and harmoniously.
Rub the pebble with your finger. If you feel static electricity, you can be sure that this is a real gem and not a glass fake.
Zodiac horoscope: who suits gems
According to astrologers, the mineral should be used carefully and choose a color that suits your zodiac sign. For example, green tourmaline is suitable for Aries, Leo and Libra. The stone helps to “cool down” and focus on creating inner harmony.
For Aquarius and Sagittarius, blue crystals are good because they can curb emotions and calm down. Scorpios should choose black tourmaline. It will “calm down” frayed nerves and cure stress and irritability.
Astrologers have an endless war about Aquarius and Scorpio. Some believe that tourmaline helps smooth out negative character traits. Others say that the mineral will only cause harm.
Tourmalines are young minerals. They are recommended to be worn by men and women under 35 years of age. Pairs well with ruby and alexandrite. The ideal frame is gold.
