Tourmaline Smooth Oval Nugget Beads, Afghani Tourmaline Beads, Blue Tourmaline outlet Beads, Pink Tourmaline Beads, Pink Beads, October Birthstone
Afghani multi-color Tourmaline plain oval nuggets measure approximately 7x6x5mm up to 9x6x4mm in size, these beads have a superior glass like luster with excellent polish on an asymmetrical oval nugget shape, Afghani tourmaline beads exhibit a medium light saturation of pink, greenish yellow, yellowish pink, mint green, Indicolite & watermelon (bi-color green & pink) hues, these gemstones are translucent with internal characteristics, gems are wonderfully matched for coloring patterning on the strand for these Tourmaline gemstones from Afghanistan, and the gems show great color in a full-bodied nugget of average size.
Size: 7mm x 5mm - 9mm x 6mm
Stone: Tourmaline
BIRTHSTONE
Tourmaline is outlet the modern October birthstone!
ABOUT TOURMALINE
Tourmaline is widely recognized as having the widest range of hues of any gem in varying levels of saturation. Popular trade names include the pink-red rubellite, blue-green Paraiba, blue indicolite, black Schorl, and multicolored watermelon tourmaline.
Tourmaline was named in 1703 by Dutch traders who gave it a Sinhalese name 'Turamali', thought to mean 'stone with mixed colors'.
Tourmaline is the national gemstone of the United States, where it has been mined for centuries. Until the early 1900s, the United States was the primary source for Tourmaline. Now, the most significant sources of tourmaline are Minas Gerais and Brazil.
Most pink, red, brown, and yellow Tourmaline is colored by manganese, while greenish to bluish-black stones are colored by iron and titanium. Lithium impurities can result in almost any color. Emerald-green Tourmaline is colored by chromium and occasionally vanadium. Pink Tourmaline is sometimes the result of natural irradiation. The most valuable Tourmaline, neon green-blue Paraiba Tourmaline, is colored by copper. When purchasing Tourmaline, color intensity and saturation have the largest effect on value.
Tourmaline is typically transparent to translucent in quality and is often included. Green Tourmaline is frequently eye-clean, while other colors are more heavily included. Cat's Eye Tourmaline is opaque but can be translucent. Cut and polished Tourmaline exhibits a vitreous luster.
Cat's Eye Tourmaline is a rare variety that exhibits the Chatoyancy phenomenon. Chatoyancy is caused by inclusions aligning along a plane within the crystal structure of the gemstone, causing the light to reflect in a linear pattern. This effect can be present in the pink and green varieties of Tourmaline.
Most Tourmaline is untreated, however, some stones may be heated to improve color and clarity. Yellow, pink, and red varieties may be irradiated to enhance color. Irradiation doesn't affect the value of the stones and can occur naturally. Heavily included varieties of Tourmaline may be clarity enhanced.
Tourmaline is mined in Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Burma, India, Italy, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania, USA, Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
CARING FOR TOURMALINE
Tourmaline is tough and durable but tends to attract more dust than other gemstones. It should be cleaned with warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth or brush before being laid flat to dry. Avoid prolonged exposure to extreme heat. Store separately from other jewelry and stones to avoid damage.