With its mesmerizing hue, pink tourmaline has effortlessly caught the eye of many. Its beautiful color palette is nothing short of spectacular. Its colors range from delicate pastel pinks to vibrant magenta. Did you know that earlier people used to confuse them for rubies? That isn't the only fascinating thing about this pink gemstone. If your interest is piqued and you are curious to learn more interesting facts about pink tourmaline, you are at the right place! Let's explore the enchanting world of this dazzling pink stone and unravel some unique and fascinating facts about it.
Pink Tourmaline
Tourmaline has a captivating allure due to its diverse range of colors and distinct characteristics. This cyclosilicate mineral is composed of complex borosilicate compounds, resulting in a stunning gemstone that has caught the attention of many. Pink tourmaline owes its gorgeous hue to the presence of trace element manganese.
It is a fairly durable gemstone with a score of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Additionally, pink tourmaline is one of the October birthstones, meaning pink tourmaline jewelry is perfect for you if you are born in the same month!
Let us now check out some intriguing facts about the pink tourmaline!
Gem Family Name
The term "tourmaline" comes from the old Sinhalese language, which is still spoken by Sri Lankans today. It is thought to stem from the words "tourmali," which means precious mixed-color stone, or "turamali," which implies something small taken from the earth.
Pink tourmalines are pleochroic
Did you know that pink tourmaline is pleochroic? This means that it can display different colors when you view it from different angles due to an optical illusion. It's a fascinating characteristic of the stone that not many people are aware of. So, wouldn't it be amazing to have a pink tourmaline ring?
Pink tourmaline as an imposter
The "Caesar's Ruby" necklace is a well-known piece of jewelry that was included in the extensive list of Russian crown jewels in early 1926. The following year, Professor Alexander Fersman, the chief editor of the catalog, made a surprising discovery. The gemstone in the necklace, which was believed to be ruby, was, in fact, not ruby! Instead, it was a rubellite tourmaline stone. Rubellite is a type of pink tourmaline that has a soft to deep pink-red color.
Surprisingly, even after the revelation, the necklace remains a renowned piece of jewelry.
Ancient beliefs
Another interesting fact about pink tourmaline is that ancient people thought the gemstone possessed extraordinary properties! People in India believed that this gemstone is connected to the sun, fire, and positive energy. It was thought to provide insight to individuals pursuing kindness and expose any impediments to obtaining goodness.
Pink tourmaline was used by Romans to help with stress relief and sleep problems. Additionally, artists in the 1800s used this gemstone to boost their creativity.
Intriguing molecular structure
The complicated molecular structure of tourmaline is another of its remarkable and distinctive characteristics. Heat (pyroelectric) or friction from rubbing (piezoelectric) causes it to become electrically charged. Both techniques lead to opposing sides of the stone having a negative and a positive charge.
Tourmaline attracts light particulate matter, such as dust and tiny pieces of paper, when it is charged. Isn't all of this so intriguing?
Conclusion
There is so much more to pink tourmaline than its beautiful appearance. Wouldn't you agree? If you find yourself fascinated by this gemstone, why not get yourself a pink tourmaline necklace, earrings, or some other jewelry piece of your choice?
No comments yet