Inorganic Gemstones

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Watermelon Tourmaline

A huge 170 carats (55x45mm) Watermelon Tourmaline from "Coronel Murta mine" in Brazil.

Tourmaline crystals having a pink centre along with a green rim, or vice-versa, are known as watermelon tourmaline, as their colouring is comparable to the pink flesh and green rind of the watermelon. A number of other tourmalines are comprised of several colours, individual crystals containing as much as 15 different colours or shades.

Watermelon tourmaline can be found in South Africa, East Africa, Brazil as well as in a number of other localities.

Partly and multi-coloured tourmaline is carved or cut and polished to exhibit from the different colours to best effect.


Properties
Chemical Composition: 

Complex borosilicate

Crystal System / Forms: 

Trigonal

Hardness: 
7.5
Specific Gravity: 

3.06

Lustre: 
Vitreous
Refractive Index / Birefringence: 

1.62-1.64 / 0.018

Cuts & Uses: 

Baguette, Cabochon.

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