Description
Identity: Natural Tourmaline
Origin: Africa
THE 4CS
Carat Weight: 1.55 Carats
Colour: This African tourmaline is teal (greenish blue) in all forms of light.
Clarity: Eye Clean
Cut: This greenish blue or teal African tourmaline has an oval shape with flower cut pavilion facets.
What are the 4Cs: Gemological Institute of America – The 4Cs
VIDEO:
African Tourmaline
Tourmalines are a type of gemstone from a group which composes of boron-silicate minerals, coming in a variety of different colours. It also contains different elements such as magnesium, sodium, aluminium, iron, potassium and lithium. Additionally, the individual minerals have different chemical compositions but share a common crystal structure, allowing for the aforementioned wide range in colour.
Also mined in various part of the world, Brazil and the African continent are the largest producers in the world. Africa especially, there are various countries which mine the precious stone including: Mozambique, which produces clean stones that are lighter in saturation and larger in size, Zambia, Madagascar, Nigeria and Namibia. In addition, each country displaying a different primary property.
The name “Tourmaline” however, does not originate from any of these countries. The Sinhalese(official language of Sri Lanka) word “tura mali” which means: stone with different colours, is the primary origin. The name refers to the impressive spectrum of colours this gem comes in. According to ancient Egyptian legends, the Tourmaline passes through the rainbow on its journey to the Earth, giving the mixture of different colours. People still refer to the tourmaline today as the gemstone of the rainbow.
