GUIDE TO GEMSTONES: TOURMALINE

Mar 24, 2017

Pictured: Duong Jewelry & Objects O'Keeffe Ring & QuangNhat Áo dài

Whether gifting or treating yourself, know your gemstones. In this edition, Uncover the factors that determine tourmaline's quality.

Tourmaline is a semi-precious gemstone with colors ranging from magenta to teal-blue, meadow-green to vibrant yellow, and black. Tourmaline gets its name from the Sinhalese (a language of Sri Lanka) phrase “toramalli,” which means “stone mixed with vibrant colors.”

66 ct tourmaline; 12 ct golden beryl; 10 K solid gold band fashioned after Georgia O'Keeffe's works

DUONG JEWELRY & OBJECTS

O'KEEFFE RING

COLOR

Some of the most important gem tourmalines are mixtures of dravite and uvite. They’re often brown, yellowish brown, reddish brown, or nearly black in color, but sometimes they contain traces of vanadium, chromium, or both. When present, these elements can produce rich green hues.

CARAT WEIGHT

Fashioned tourmalines in larger sizes rise considerably in per-carat price.

LORE

Black tourmaline is known as a powerful grounding stone, electrical in nature, providing a connection between Earth and the human spirit. Its supportive energy aligns the energy centers of the body and channels healing light throughout the system.

.10 cts Tourmaline; 14 K Gold Chain

SHAHLA KARIMI

14K BIRTHSTONE LARIAT

CLARITY

Tourmalines without eye-visible inclusions are more valuable than those with inclusions that can be seen. The most typical inclusions resemble thread-like cavities that run parallel to the length of the crystal.

CUT

Many gem buyers prefer stones with standard dimensions because they’re easier to set in standard mountings.

CARE

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.

Warm, soapy water is the best method for cleaning tourmaline. The use of ultrasonic and steam cleaners is not recommended.