Watermelon Tourmaline

watermelon-tourmaline
Watermelon Tourmaline

Tourmaline crystals with a pink centre and a green rim, or vice-versa, are called  watermelon tourmaline, because their coloring is similar to the pink flesh and green rind of a watermelon. Many other tourmalines are made up of two or more colors, individual crystals containing up to 15 different colors or shades.

Watermelon tourmaline is found in South Africa, East Africa, Brazil and in a many other localities.

Parti and multi-colored tourmaline is carved or cut and polished to show off the different colors to best effect.

Chemical Composition :

Complex borosilicate


Crystal System / Forms :

Trigonal


Cuts & Uses :

Baguette, Cabochon


Hardness : 7.5
Lustre : Vitreous
Refractive Index / Birefringence :

1.62-1.64 / 0.018


Sources :

South Africa, East Africa, Brazil


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