Lyla Lindsey
Tourmaline, known as the Rainbow Gemstone, is a gem that comes in a variety of colours, including green, pink, blue, black, and watermelon (green on the outside and pink on the inside). While tourmaline is predominantly mined in Brazil, it can also be found in other countries such as Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, various African nations, and the USA. In Australia, tourmaline can be found in Mount Painter (Flinders Ranges) and Kangaroo Island. It is also available for purchase in Sydney and Parramatta.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Brazil, Afghanistan, USA, Sri Lanka, African nations like Namibia, Nigeria, Congo, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Madagascar, California, Maine, Australia |
| Colour | Virtually every colour of the spectrum, including black, blue, green, pink, red, yellow, brown, clear |
| Crystal structure | Long |
| Hardness | 7-7.5 on the Moh's scale |
| Sources in Australia | Bespoke Gems in Sydney, Certified Diamond Network, Crystal Heart, Aus Crystals |
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What You'll Learn
Tourmaline in Mount Painter, Flinders Ranges
Tourmaline is a semi-precious gemstone that can be found in a variety of colours. It is predominantly mined in Brazil, but it can also be found in Australia, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Africa, and the USA. In Australia, tourmaline can be found in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia. Specifically, in the Mount Painter area of the Arkaroola Region in the North Flinders Ranges. This area includes the Tourmaline Hill granite pegmatites in the Umberatana Diatreme, which is located 17km northwest of Arkaroola Village and 4km east of Umberatana Station.
The Mount Painter area is also home to several mines, including the Corundum Mine and the Mount Painter No. 2 and No. 6 workings. These mines are located within the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and Arkaroola Station, in the Pastoral Unincorporated Area of South Australia. The area has a hot semi-arid steppe climate.
Tourmaline is a sought-after gemstone for jewellery due to its variety of colours and its suitability for cutting into elongated shapes. However, it is less hard than sapphires or diamonds, with a rating of 7-7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Therefore, it requires careful handling and should be protected from knocks, abrasive materials, harsh chemicals, and extreme changes in heat. To clean tourmaline jewellery, it is recommended to soak it in warm soapy water and gently brush away any residue with a toothbrush.
In addition to its aesthetic value, tourmaline is believed by some to possess energy-enhancing properties, aiding in unblocking obstacles and achieving long-term goals.
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Tourmaline in Kangaroo Island
Tourmaline, known as the "Rainbow Gemstone", is available in almost every colour of the spectrum. The name is derived from the Sinhalese word "turamalli" or "tura mali", meaning mixed gems or mixed colours. The various colours of tourmaline were often incorrectly identified as other gems for many years. This went on until the development of modern gemmology in the 1800s. The colour of the gem is the most important factor when grading it; the inclusion of trace minerals gives distinct colours to the stone. Indicolite is blue, verdelite and chrome are green, and their colour is likely due to the presence of iron and possibly titanium, while rubellite is pink because of manganese.
Tourmaline can be found in a few places in Australia. One source mentions that a user found a black rock containing tourmaline on a beach on Kangaroo Island, Australia. The stone weighed 105 grams and was shiny.
Tourmaline is predominantly mined in Brazil, but it can also be found in Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Africa, the USA, and Australia. The world's most sought-after and biggest tourmaline was produced in this region, weighing 191.87 carats. Deposits of copper-coloured tourmaline have also been found in Mozambique and Nigeria, known as "Paraiba", although they are not from the original Brazilian deposits.
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Tourmaline in Sydney
Tourmaline, known as the "Rainbow Gemstone", is available in a variety of colours, including pink, red, blue, green, yellow, brown, black, and even colourless. It is predominantly mined in Brazil, but can also be found in Australia, the USA, and various African countries. In Australia, tourmaline can be found at Mount Painter in the Flinders Ranges and Kangaroo Island.
Tourmaline is a sought-after gemstone for jewellery, with a hardness of 7-7.5 on the Moh's scale. It is prized for its beauty, availability in various colours, and large sizes. The most desirable colours of tourmaline are typically pink, red, and blue. The "Paraiba" variety, which originates from Brazil and exhibits intense neon or fluorescent colours due to the presence of copper, is particularly coveted and commands high prices.
In Sydney, tourmaline jewellery and gemstones can be purchased from various retailers, including Certified Diamond Network, Bespoke Gems, and Pieces of Eight. Certified Diamond Network, located at 73/48-50 George St, Parramatta NSW 2150, Australia, boasts the largest inventory of tourmaline gems in the country, including raw tourmaline crystals, chrome tourmalines, and bicolour tourmalines. They offer exclusive access to highly rare and expensive Paraiba tourmaline from Brazil.
Bespoke Gems also offers tourmaline gemstones and jewellery, specialising in fine examples of the stone in relatively large sizes, typically ranging from 2 to 10 carats. Additionally, Pieces of Eight, located at Shop 27, Royal Arcade, 335 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, provides annual cleaning and checking services for tourmaline jewellery purchased from their store. They also offer unique, artist-made jewellery featuring tourmaline.
Thus, while tourmaline can be found in certain regions of Australia, those in Sydney seeking to acquire the gemstone can do so through specialised retailers like Certified Diamond Network, Bespoke Gems, and Pieces of Eight, each offering a diverse range of tourmaline jewellery and gemstones.
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Tourmaline in Parramatta
Tourmaline is a gemstone that is available in almost every colour of the spectrum. The name comes from the Sinhalese word "turamalli", meaning mixed gems. The colour of the stone is determined by the inclusion of trace minerals. For example, the presence of manganese turns the stone pink, while iron and titanium give it shades of green.
While tourmaline can be found in various countries around the world, including Brazil, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, parts of Africa, and the USA, it is unclear whether tourmaline can be found in Parramatta specifically. However, there is a business called Certified Diamond Network that sells tourmaline gemstones and is located at 73/48-50 George St, Parramatta NSW 2150, Australia. This business claims to have the largest inventory of tourmaline gems in Australia, including raw tourmaline crystals, chrome tourmalines, and bicolour tourmalines. They offer a bespoke jewellery service, providing customers with access to exclusive tourmaline stone jewellery that is otherwise unavailable in Australia.
Tourmaline is a relatively soft gemstone, with a Mohs hardness rating of 7-7.5. For this reason, it requires careful handling and storage. To clean tourmaline jewellery, it is recommended to soak the piece in warm soapy water and gently brush away any residue with a toothbrush.
The most coveted variety of tourmaline is the "Paraiba" tourmaline, which was originally discovered in the Paraiba region of Brazil. This variety is known for its neon or fluorescent colours, ranging from intense green to clear blue. However, deposits of copper-coloured tourmaline that are also known as "Paraiba" have been found more recently in Mozambique and Nigeria. While these stones are often less intense in colour and attract lower prices, large, clean, and intensely coloured examples are still very rare and command very high prices.
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Tourmaline in California
Tourmaline is a gem that comes in a variety of colours, from green to pink, blue, yellow, brown, black, and even clear. It is a relatively soft stone, with a Mohs hardness rating of 7-7.5, and is prized for its magnificent colours, sizes, clarity, and beauty. While tourmaline can be found all over the world, one place that is known for its tourmaline deposits is California in the United States.
The state of California has long been associated with the gem, and it is one of the significant sources of tourmaline worldwide. The gem can be found in various locations across the state, with one notable source being San Diego. In the late 19th century, the American gemmologist George F. Kunz helped grow the American tourmaline market when he sold green tourmaline from Maine to Tiffany & Co. This saw the industry boom, with the main market being exports of pink tourmaline from San Diego to China. The collapse of the Chinese government in 1912 caused the American tourmaline market to crash. However, in recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the gem, with California once again becoming a significant source of tourmaline.
Today, California is known for producing high-quality tourmaline gemstones, with a range of colours and sizes available. The state's unique geological conditions have contributed to the formation of these beautiful stones, and collectors and jewellers alike seek out California tourmaline for its unique characteristics. The mines in California have yielded some impressive specimens, with large, clean, and intensely coloured stones that command high prices on the global market.
While California is known for its green and pink tourmaline, there are also other varieties found in the state. The specific conditions in which the tourmaline forms can vary, resulting in different colours and shades. The presence of certain minerals and elements, such as chromium and iron, can influence the colour and tone of the stone. California's diverse geological landscape offers a range of conditions that contribute to the formation of these colourful gems.
In addition to its aesthetic value, tourmaline from California is also believed to possess metaphysical properties. Some consider it a protective and grounding stone, capable of shielding against negative energies. It is also thought to enhance energy flow, remove obstacles, and enable the achievement of long-term goals. These beliefs have added to the appeal of California tourmaline, attracting not only those seeking its beauty but also those who value its purported spiritual benefits.
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Frequently asked questions
Tourmaline is available at several online and physical stores in Australia, including Bespoke Gems, Certified Diamond Network, Crystal Heart, and Aus Crystals.
Tourmaline is available in almost every colour of the spectrum, including black, blue, green, pink, red, and yellow.
Tourmaline is a gemstone used in jewellery. It is believed to increase energy flows and protect against negative energies.
The price of Tourmaline varies depending on its colour, clarity, and carat weight. For example, the Paraiba Tourmaline from Brazil commands the highest prices due to its intense blues and greens.
