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What
is Tourmaline?
The name
Tourmaline originates from the Sinhalese word "turmali"
which literally means "something out of the earth".
Tourmaline is
found in areas around the world such as Brazil, Africa, and Russia.
It was first discovered in the state of Maine in 1820, on Mount Mica,
in Paris.
In 1972 there
was a major new discovery of over 3 1/2 million carats of gem quality
Tourmaline on nearby Plumbago Mountain, in Newry. This represents the
single most significant and highest grade Tourmaline found anywhere
in the world. It was at this time that Tourmaline was denoted the
"Maine State Gemstone".
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Pink
Tourmaline is the birthstone
for October ( Alternate with Opal ).
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Bi-color Tourmaline is the traditional
gift for
the 8th wedding anniversary.
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Green and pink
are the most
prevalent colors of Tourmaline.
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Tourmaline is
unique because of the fact that it is found in every color of the
rainbow. In addition, there are varieties that are black, clear, or
even bi-color
or tri-color, with two or three distinctly different
colors found within the same
stone. There is no other gemstone that
offers a wider variety of colors. |
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For many
years, the green and red varieties of Tourmaline were classified as
Emerald and Ruby, but early in the 18th century they were recognized
as their own distinct gemstone with unique properties and structure.
Pink
Tourmaline is said to promote female balance while green Tourmaline
promotes male balance. All varieties of Tourmaline offer
protection against dangers.
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TECHNICAL
DATA |
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Hardness |
7.5 |
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Refractive
Index |
1.62-1.65 |
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Specific
Gravity |
3.00-3.26 |
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Crystal
System |
Hexagonal |
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Cleavage |
None |
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Light
Stability |
Good |
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Colors
Found |
All |
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