Tourmaline
| Category |
| Tourmaline |
| Crystal Form |
| Trigonal |
| Moh's Scale Hardness |
| 7.0–7.5 |
| Specific Gravity |
| 3.06 |
| Refractive Index |
| 1.61–1.64 |
| Sources |
| Africa: Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia, Brazil, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, United States (California). |
Tourmaline is the name for a group of related mineral species. the name "tourmaline" is dervied from the Sinhalese word "tourmali" which means "mixed parcel". Tourmaline comes in a wide range of colours, sometimes several colours in just one stone.
Tourmaline is believed to strengthen the body and spirit, especially the nervous system, blood and lymphs. It is also thought to inspire creativity and was used as a talisman by artists and writers.
Inclusions
Common inclusion in tourmaline are cracks.
Treatments
Heat treatments are used in some instances to lighten the darker shades. While irradiation is used in others to intensify the colour. Occasionally, filling technique is use to hide visible fractures and other surface-reaching fissures.
Caring
To clean, wash with warm soapy water and soft brush