Place of Birth
Main supplier
The supplier of the highest quality and most valuable rubellite specimens is Brazil. Rubellite intergrowths from these deposits sometimes reach a weight of 4 tons, and they can be about 1 m in length!
— Advertising —
Rubellites are also mined on the island of Elba; samples from there are distinguished by such excellent external characteristics that they even received their own name “elbaites”.
Other deposits
There are known deposits of rubellite in Russia: in the Urals and Transbaikalia. Rich deposits of this mineral are found in the countries of America, Africa (Mozambique, Namibia), Madagascar, Germany and the Czech Republic.
History of the stone
First discovery
Rubellite was first discovered at the end of the 18th century. Its scientific description appeared thanks to the Irish mineralogist Richard Kirwan.
origin of name
— Advertising —
The term "rubellite" refers to the characteristic color of the stone and comes from the Latin word "rubellus", which translates as "reddish".
Rubelites in the history of countries
Rubellites, along with spinel, were classified as noble semi-precious minerals; they were used to decorate the crowns of the kings of England and Russia. Immediately after its discovery, the gem began to be widely used in jewelry and has not lost its popularity to this day.
Physico-chemical characteristics
Rubellite is one of the varieties of tourmalines.
The color of the mineral is associated with the content of manganese impurities in it. In general, by chemical nature, rubellite is a complex compound of sodium, lithium and aluminum. Rubellite crystals have a glassy luster and can be either transparent or matte. The stone is characterized by low specific gravity and high hardness - the treated surface of rubellite cannot be scratched. When heated, the mineral begins to attract paper.
Magic properties
— Advertising —
Since its discovery, people have paid attention to the magical abilities of rubellite. Thus, he was immediately credited with a positive influence on finding and maintaining love. Rubellite is considered a guardian mineral of love feelings, as it is associated with Venus, the goddess of love.
Rubellite-based amulets help fight fears in relationships and open up to new feelings. The gem improves the relationship between lovers, fills them with romance, tenderness and fidelity. For those who have lost love, rubellite eases suffering, heals wounds in the heart and helps in forgiveness and letting go of the past. The mineral brings confidence, compassion to its owner, and eliminates negative thoughts. Rubellite is recommended as a talisman for married couples: to strengthen marriage, fill it with harmony and mutual understanding.
It is believed that rubellite returns to its owner what he gives to other people and multiplies these feelings. So, if his owner gives love and kindness to others, then in return he will receive the same and even more from the world. But if he throws out aggression and negative energy, then all this will also return to him.
Silver and gold frames can enhance the magical properties of rubellite; it is recommended to wear it in pendants and rings on the middle or index finger of the left hand.
Care, wearing
Rubellite is a very “receptive” stone from an energetic point of view, in the sense that it, like a sponge, absorbs not only the positive, but also the negative of its owner and the environment in which the latter resides. Therefore, a talisman or decoration made of red tourmaline literally needs daily “cleaning”. There are three simple ways to free a crystal from negativity:
- Placement in holy or silver water;
- Place under running water;
- Contact with a candle flame.
However, there is an option to simply leave the rubellite product in the open sun for several hours. This method will help not only cleanse the stone of negativity, but also recharge it.
Regular cleaning, “hygienic”, is even simpler. Since rubellite is practically invulnerable, it is not afraid of any hard brushes or chemicals, even aggressive ones. But still, experts recommend cleaning the stone only by washing it in a weakly concentrated soap solution no more than once a season. There are about 50 different shades of pink tourmaline.
Every single one of them is absolutely delicious. Rubellite looks great in both gold and silver cuts, favorably emphasizing not only the individuality, but also the financial status of the owner of the jewelry. The stone goes with any style and will be the highlight of any occasion. Eclectic, boho and ethnic looks will look especially luxurious. Sets of jewelry made of gold and rubellite will make the classics even more conservative, which, perhaps, will only add a specific “weight” and charm to the bow.
Medicinal properties
As a subtype of tourmaline, rubellite has extensive healing properties, which are determined by the color of the stone.
Thus, raspberry and dark samples have a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract, improve appetite, restore the functioning of the endocrine glands, normalize metabolism and strengthen the immune system. Bright rubellites help develop memory, increase the ability to concentrate and develop mental abilities, have a calming effect and normalize sleep, eliminating nightmares. Light stones are good for calming people in a heightened emotional state. In addition, rubellites improve blood circulation, improve complexion and rejuvenate the skin.
Modern lithotherapy recommends this gem during the period of recovery of the body after paralysis, to increase potency. The stone stimulates the body's immune defense and is used to prevent infectious and viral diseases.
In stone therapy
The healing properties of rubellite are due to the specific magnetic field that the crystal creates around its owner, which performs a certain protective function. What you should pay attention to when buying a stone is its shade. Since this characteristic is in direct correlation with the healing functions: if a person has problems at the physical level, i.e. organic plan, then he should choose a rich dark mineral. Such samples help stabilize metabolism, “extinguish” foci of inflammation, improve gastrointestinal motility, and regulate heart rhythm.
Lithotherapists recommend that people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system wear pendants with a rubellite insert on a long rope or chain so that it is located in the heart area, and those who have problems with the thyroid gland will find pink tourmaline beads extremely useful.
Light specimens are responsible for the psyche. And, accordingly, somatic disorders caused by chronic stress. It is necessary to meditate on pale rubellites for sleep disorders, anxiety, phobias, apathy, and vice versa – difficulties with relaxation, as well as when it is necessary to pump up cognitive functions.
Applications
Rubellite is the most expensive and brightest variety of tourmaline, which has attracted the attention of jewelers since its discovery due to its sophistication and beauty.
For jewelry purposes, crystals with a high degree of transparency, of various sizes and shades are used. Inserts made of faceted rubellite are used in pendants, pendants, earrings, bracelets, rings and rings, in silver and gold frames. Opaque samples of the mineral are valued less and are used as an ornamental material.
Description
“Officially” mineralogists gave recognition to rubellite in 1974, when R. Kevan studied and described the structure and composition of the mineral, its characteristics justifying its value.
The physical characteristics of the reddish stone are as follows:
- Glass shine.
- Matte or transparent.
- Hard, on the Mohs scale - 7.5 points.
- A warm stone attracts a sheet of paper.
There can be two types: precious and ornamental, depending on the quality. Ornamental stones are opaque, large minerals, used for the manufacture of household items and room decoration.
Transparent rubellites are precious stones, included in the second group according to the classification of precious stones. They have jewelry value.
How to distinguish real rubellite from a fake
As an expensive and rare gem, rubellite is often counterfeited or passed off as other similar-looking varieties of tourmalines. Natural stone can be distinguished by the following characteristics:
- Natural rubellite has a fairly high hardness. It is very difficult to scratch or cause any other mechanical damage.
- When lightly heated and the sample is brought to small pieces of paper, the natural specimen begins to attract them, which is not typical for imitations.
- Artificial stones also differ from natural stones in their absolute purity and complete absence of defects.
Who's under the mask?
A layman can easily confuse rubellite with its “big brother” ruby.
The latter is a much more durable mineral. But the main difference between tourmalines and ruby is pleochroism, i.e. the ability to split a ray of light passing through the body of a crystal in two, which is not characteristic of sardis. Sometimes glass crystals and laboratory minerals are sold under the guise of pink tourmaline, which are also visually no different from true rubellite. But there is a way to calculate the imitation: if you heat a natural stone in your palms, it attracts paper to itself, but glass ceramics do not have such an amazing property.
True raspberry schorl is not so easily damaged mechanically. For example, scratching it with a knife is a task from the realm of science fiction. As for the color palette of the mineral, when looking at a photo of rubellite, everyone can be convinced that it is quite wide: from white-pink to wine. It is unlikely that you will be able to recognize a fake by color. However, this applies to the lightest crystals to the least extent, since it is almost impossible to falsify this color. Because when you try to obtain this type of tourmaline from another mineral by heat treatment, the latter will sharply darken, and there will be no talk of any pale pink color.
Rubellite and zodiac sign
The properties of rubellite are most fully revealed for men of the zodiac sign Libra, who wear a ring with a gem.
It brings them courage, boldness, resilience and self-confidence. For Scorpio, rubellite will help transform excess sexual energy into other channels. In addition, astrologers recommend products with rubellites for Leo, Sagittarius, and Capricorn.
In any case, the owner of such jewelry must have a high reserve of internal strength so that the gem does not harm him.
Product prices
Large rubellite crystals of high purity and quality are rare, and for this reason they are valued very highly.
For example, a 5-carat example of intense dark cherry coloring (also known as “sybarite”) is valued at $2,000. In general, the price for 1 carat of faceted pure rubellite ranges from 15 to 25 dollars. Less valued are opaque specimens, on the basis of which talismans, beads, bracelets, and pendants are made. For example, earrings with rubellites of average quality are priced at $20, a bracelet – from $25 to $30.
Jewelry with mineral
Jewelry with a bright crimson crystal gained immense popularity during the reign of the kings.
Jewelry with stones complemented the outfits of crowned heads throughout Europe and Asia. In the modern world, the gem is valued among jewelers. Most often it is subjected to the following types of cutting:
- pear-shaped cut, also called “drop”, the most common type of processing of raspberry schorl;
- a cut with four rounded corners and wide edges is called “cushion”;
- manual openwork carving is applied to stones that are not cut;
- crystals with an uneven shade, inclusions or a large number of microcracks are used for beads and cabochons.
It is known that collectors buy exclusive items at auctions. Unique samples with rubellite cost tens of thousands of dollars.
- A Tiffany&Co ring with a 10-carat stone sold for $2,200;
- Earrings, the total weight of crystals reached 56.97 carats, cost $5,000;
- “IVY New York” earrings, total weight of gemstones was 21.37 carats, sold for $6,500;
- The “Michelle Ong for Carnet” necklace with a huge stone, framed with diamonds and sapphires, was purchased for $7,200.
Jewelry stores offer to buy faceted rubellites. The gem is mainly used for single products, since it is not easy to select identical samples for paired jewelry. The price of a gem is quite high, for example, an oval-cut rubellite, weighing 8.60 carats, costs $3,780.
Interesting Facts
There is a legend about a sample of rubellite, which is now stored in the Diamond Fund, and has the appearance of a bunch of grapes. It is believed that its owner was originally an ancient Chaldean sorcerer. The old magician did not buy this stone, but, with the help of clever tricks, lured it away from the demons, who carried the mineral out of hell. A thousand years later, the famous rubellite fell into the hands of Julius Caesar. At that time, the gem was no longer so strong and powerful, and could not provide Caesar with the unhindered achievement of all his goals, desires and aspirations. As a result, Emperor Julius died and the stone disappeared. Only 1,500 years later, the ancient gem found itself in the thick of world events again. It was presented as a gift to the Empress of Russia by the Swedish king, and for a time relations between the powers normalized. But the hellish essence of the stone manifested itself again: a war broke out between Russia and Sweden, and the Swedes lost, since they did not have the dark power of the magical gem on their side and they lost the ability to win military victories. Since then, Sweden has no longer entered into military conflicts.
