Natural Gemstones: Reference Facts
Bicolor Tourmaline
In the fascinating world of gemstones, tourmaline is very special. Besides being found in a wide range of colors, tourmaline also has two or more colors in the same piece. Stones with two colors are called 'Bi-Color Tourmaline', and those with more than two are called 'Multicolor Tourmaline'. The characteristic that lend value to a bicolor tourmaline is its unique two or more colors in the same stone. Bicolor tourmalines can be pink and green, pink and colorless, brown and green, or blue and green. The most valued stones have distinct saturated colors with sharp boundaries and eye-flawless.
The bicolor tourmaline crystals are often cut in the emerald style which best displays the separation of colors. Since each bicolor stone is so unique and different from the other, bicolor tourmaline is excellently suited for individual jewelry creation.
Tourmaline is believed to strengthen the body and spirit. Bicolor tourmaline balances the male/female energies and is useful for attracting love. Bicolor tourmaline is also thought to inspire creativity.
| Bicolor Tourmaline Known Facts
|
| Color |
Pink and Green, Pink and Bluish Green, Pink and Colorless, Brown and Green, Blue and Green. Some stones have more than two colors.
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| Clarity
|
Type II – usually eye clean with some inclusions under magnification
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| Crystal Structure
|
Trigonal
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| Chemical Composition
|
Na(Li,Al)3Al6(BO3)3Si6O18(OH)4 - Complex borosilicate
|
| Luster
|
Vitreous
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| Optic Character
|
Doubly Refractive
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| Durability
|
Very Good
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| Specific Gravity(SG)
|
3.06
|
| Refractive Index(RI)
|
1.62-1.64
|
| Birefringence
|
0.018
|
| Hardness
|
7.5
|
| Occurrence
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Brazil, South Africa, East Africa, Sri Lanka, Madagascar
|
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