The Long History of Tourmaline Gemstone
Tourmaline is a captivating gemstone known for its remarkable variety of colors and its complex chemical composition. It belongs to the silicate mineral group and is cherished not only for its beauty in jewelry but also for its unique physical properties. Tourmaline exhibits strong piezoelectric and pyroelectric characteristics, meaning it can generate an electric charge when subjected to mechanical stress or temperature changes.
The history of tourmaline dates back thousands of years, though its modern recognition and scientific study began relatively recently. The ancient Egyptians were among the first to use tourmaline, believing it had traveled along a rainbow, which accounted for its wide array of colors. However, systematic documentation and understanding of tourmaline only started in the 18th century.
The history
In 1703, Dutch sailors returning from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) introduced tourmaline to Europe. They called it "turmali," derived from the Sinhalese word "toramalli," meaning "mixed gems," as the locals used the term to describe the colorful stones. The sailors observed an intriguing property: when heated, the stones attracted ash and other lightweight particles, a phenomenon linked to tourmaline's pyroelectric properties.
In Brazil miners mistook the vibrant green tourmaline crystals for emeralds. This misunderstanding persisted until the 19th century, when gemologists studied the stones more thoroughly and identified them as green tourmaline, particularly the variety known as "verdelite." Brazil remains one of the world's largest sources of tourmaline, producing a wide range of colors.
Meanwhile, in Russia, the 19th century was marked by the study of the mineral resources of the Ural Mountains. A significant contribution to the study of Russian tourmalines was made by the German geologist and mineralogist Alexander Humboldt. He visited the Urals in 1829 and conducted extensive research there, studying local precious and semi-precious stones, including tourmalines.
In the late 19th century, tourmaline deposits were discovered in the United States, particularly in Maine and Southern California. These American tourmalines became highly sought after, especially the vibrant pink and green varieties. The popularity of tourmaline in the United States was significantly boosted by George F. Kunz, a prominent gemologist working for Tiffany & Co. Kunz was a passionate advocate for tourmaline, appreciating its beauty and diversity. His efforts helped establish tourmaline as a desirable gemstone in American jewelry markets.
In the early 20th century, important deposits were also found in Africa. Tourmalines from Namibia, Madagascar, and Mozambique are still renowned for their vivid, deep colors. Around the same time, tourmalines began to be discovered in Afghanistan. However, significant discoveries of Afghan tourmaline deposits were made in the 1970s, attracting the attention of geologists and jewelers worldwide. Afghan tourmalines, especially the vibrant pink and green varieties, gained recognition for their bright colors and high quality.
In Brazil miners mistook the vibrant green tourmaline crystals for emeralds. This misunderstanding persisted until the 19th century, when gemologists studied the stones more thoroughly and identified them as green tourmaline, particularly the variety known as "verdelite." Brazil remains one of the world's largest sources of tourmaline, producing a wide range of colors.
Meanwhile, in Russia, the 19th century was marked by the study of the mineral resources of the Ural Mountains. A significant contribution to the study of Russian tourmalines was made by the German geologist and mineralogist Alexander Humboldt. He visited the Urals in 1829 and conducted extensive research there, studying local precious and semi-precious stones, including tourmalines.
In the late 19th century, tourmaline deposits were discovered in the United States, particularly in Maine and Southern California. These American tourmalines became highly sought after, especially the vibrant pink and green varieties. The popularity of tourmaline in the United States was significantly boosted by George F. Kunz, a prominent gemologist working for Tiffany & Co. Kunz was a passionate advocate for tourmaline, appreciating its beauty and diversity. His efforts helped establish tourmaline as a desirable gemstone in American jewelry markets.
In the early 20th century, important deposits were also found in Africa. Tourmalines from Namibia, Madagascar, and Mozambique are still renowned for their vivid, deep colors. Around the same time, tourmalines began to be discovered in Afghanistan. However, significant discoveries of Afghan tourmaline deposits were made in the 1970s, attracting the attention of geologists and jewelers worldwide. Afghan tourmalines, especially the vibrant pink and green varieties, gained recognition for their bright colors and high quality.
Today, tourmalines of various colors are widely used in the jewelry industry, spanning different segments from mass-market to high jewelry. It is particularly common to see the unique shades of these stones contribute to the creation of intricate jewelry pieces featuring a multitude of colored gems. Tourmalines are also popular as a material for gemstone carving art.
