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Tourmaline, the beautiful, multi-colored gem

Tourmaline is often overshadowed by other more “famous” gemstones, but is beautiful and unique in coloring.  Tourmaline occurs in: black, violet, browns, pink and greens, most with muted undertones.  The pink and green hues can be combined in specimens called watermelon tourmaline (some of the finer slices actually look like a watermelon cut down the middle!).  While some gemstones’ colors are due to only one trace element, tourmalines’ color varities are due to the presence of at least three, and they have over 10 different varieties/species in their group.  Tourmalines crystal structure is elongated, which allows for a beautiful occurance called tourmalated quartz, which is when very fine black tourmaline crystals are trapped in a clear quartz stone.  Its Moh’s hardness is 7-7.5 and with mature, earthy color options, this gem is ideal for the person who admires a unique option for jewelry and collectors items alike.