The name "tourmaline" appeared in Holland. Hitherto unknown stones called “turamali” or “toramali” arrived there from Sri Lanka. The Dutch did not know that on the island they called any gems that way...
In India, they not only valued precious stones, but also knew their magical and healing properties. Watermelon tourmaline stone was in great demand among men. After all, according to the Indian sages, it increased love fervor and sexual capabilities.
Informative: women were prohibited from wearing jewelry made from this type of crystal. A woman should not be too passionate and loving. This creates problems for their men.
In Antiquity, tourmalines were valued for their ability to give light and pleasant dreams and relax the body and soul.
Tourmalines of different colors
The extensive family of gems shines with a variety of colors. This is facilitated by the complex crystalline structure of the mineral and the large number of chemical elements included in its composition.
Tourmalines are complex borosilicates. Their composition of incoming elements can vary within wide limits. The chemical composition of the crystal determines their color.
Watermelon tourmaline is a polychrome variety of the mineral. These crystals have several zones, each colored differently.
Properties of the gem
Like all tourmalines, watermelon stone has the following physical properties:
- glass shine;
- hardness 7-7.5 on the Mohs scale;
- dash color is white;
- refractive index 1.616-1.662;
- density 3.02-3.26 g/cm3;
- polychrome color, zonal color distribution;
- the fracture is uneven;
- fragile.
Crystals exhibit pyro- and piezoelectric properties. An electric charge appears on a crystal when it is rubbed or heated. In this case, one end of the crystal has a positive charge, the other - a negative one.
Informative: the famous Curie couple in 1880 discovered the presence of microcurrents on the surface of crystals. This revealed the secret of the strong “dust collection” of gems. We recommend: Monarch Stone | BLUE SAPPHIRE
Tourmalines are important in industry and science. These are radio and microelectronics, medical devices.
The color of polychrome crystals can have up to five differently colored zones. Color colors are distributed perpendicularly or parallel to the main axis of the crystal. The second type is watermelon tourmaline. With a perpendicular color distribution, the crystals have a black or red top. Such gems have the trade names “Moor’s head” and “Turk’s head”.
Appearance and properties
Like other polychrome minerals, watermelon tourmaline can change color depending on the angle of light rays hitting it. This phenomenon is called dichroism, or polarization of light. The properties of stone in physics are as follows:
- infrared radiation;
- release of ions with a negative charge;
- blocking electromagnetic radiation.
The structural features of the stone called watermelon tourmaline are also similar to the external characteristics of its “relatives”:
- solid structure, resistance to physical impact;
- needle-shaped, columnar, prismatic or columnar crystals;
- pronounced vertical strokes on the edges.
The cross-section of the stone very much resembles a slice of watermelon: a green border frames a dark pink center. There are even dark “grains” scattered along the border. There are crystals of the opposite type, where the green “pulp” is framed by pink. Looking at the photo, you can see that the stone got its name for a reason.
Where is watermelon tourmaline found?
Deposits of polychrome tourmaline:
- Africa (Mozambique, Angola, Zambia, Tanzania);
- China;
- Madagascar;
- Sri Lanka;
- Namibia;
- Afghanistan;
- Nepal;
- Italy (Elba Island);
- Canada.
In Brazil, “classic” watermelon tourmalines are mined - a pink or red core, bordered by a stripe of green zone of different shades. In South Africa, Brazil and Myanmar, a variety called “eye” is found - with a green core and a red border.
We recommend reading about pink tourmaline - rubellite and black tourmaline - schorl.
An interesting and rare variety of multi-colored gems is liddicoatite. When cut, these stones have a kaleidoscopic multi-colored pattern.
For lovers of mineralogy: Liddicoatite got its name in honor of the American mineralogist Liddicoat. He is known for creating the grading system for diamonds (4C GIA).
In Russia, multi-colored crystals are found in the Middle Urals and Transbaikalia.
History and deposits of stone
The ancient Egyptian legend about the origin of watermelon tourmaline says that once upon a time a gem fell from the Sun to Earth. When it fell, it flew through a rainbow, which is why it got such an unusual color.
The watermelon gem has been known to Persians and Hindus since the 5th century. Then he went to Byzantium, and from there to the Russian princes. And only from the Middle Ages it became known to Europeans. In India, the stone was considered masculine - Hindus wore rings and encrusted clothes with crystals. This is how they increased their visual attractiveness. An interesting fact is that watermelon tourmaline was forbidden to Indian women so that they would not become relaxed and sociable.
The main gem mining takes place in Brazil and South Africa. Small deposits are located on the islands of Sri Lanka and Madagascar, in Colombia, USA. Russian deposits are located in the Urals, the Kola Peninsula, and Transbaikalia.
Magical properties of the gem
The properties of watermelon tourmaline as a protective stone are quite high. A gem amulet placed in the house will protect the family space
The magical properties of the gem are largely aimed at the sphere of emotions and love. If there is a break in a relationship, a watermelon tourmaline talisman will gently heal a mental wound. Unrequited love will not cause difficult experiences, and will pass like a quick summer rain - if you have a polychrome tourmaline amulet.
Watermelon Tourmaline Jewelry
Such amulets give a sense of internal security and encourage the owner to live in harmony with the outside world.
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The gem, according to lithotherapists, will help the owner prolong the youth of the soul and body. The stone is suitable for creative people - poets, artists, writers; it will be a source of inspiration and will help the imagination take off.
An amulet made of watermelon tourmaline will help a student concentrate on his studies and exams.
Wearing “electric jewelry” made of multi-colored stones means not only healing yourself and protecting yourself from magical attacks and the evil eye. The cheerful pieces of “stone berry” are also a delight for the eyes.
Use in making jewelry
The beauty of the stone was appreciated in ancient times: priests in South America used sticks made from the mineral during religious rituals. In the Middle Ages, watermelon tourmaline was used to make jewelry for noble people and church decorations.
Watermelon tourmaline is not heat treated and prefers to be slightly cut. The crystal is shaped into a cabochon or rectangle. Some jewelers refuse traditional processing - they cut the mineral into “slices”, emphasizing the natural beauty of the gem.
The stone is set in a gold or silver frame. Rings and earrings are most often made with watermelon tourmaline. Pendants, beads and bracelets are less popular. The gem looks great as a single solitaire; its beauty is lost in combination with other crystals. The jewelry should not be worn constantly. Natural magic is enhanced when the jewelry is worn from time to time when help is needed.
The mineral has the ability to attract dust and gets dirty easily. Once every six months, jewelry is cleaned with soapy water, washed with clean water and wiped with a dry cloth. Products with tourmalines are stored in cardboard boxes or bags made of thick fabric separately from other jewelry.
Note! Watermelon tourmaline tends to fade when exposed to bright sunlight. Jewelry with minerals should not be worn on the beach or in the solarium.
Treat yourself with a “delicious” gem
The healing properties of watermelon tourmaline are based on its physical properties. The gem can be used in air ionizers. Lithotherapists would readily use the stone. But there are many types of cheaper minerals, and they are used for medicinal purposes.
Jewelry with watermelon tourmaline
Tourmaline products can remove:
- depression;
- panic attacks;
- insomnia;
- stress;
- improve blood circulation;
- strengthen immunity;
- reduce joint pain.
Earrings and beads with watermelon tourmaline will help stabilize blood pressure and normalize metabolism. This type of gem (according to lithotherapists) will help restore peace of mind and quickly come to compromises in life.
Attention: it is not recommended to wear jewelry with tourmalines for people with a pacemaker, thyroid problems, or fever.
Quartz stone care
Quartz requires regular maintenance. To do this, you need to wet a napkin with water and wipe the jewelry with it. It can be cleaned using any detergent.
All kinds of contaminants can be easily removed from the surface of quartz. This procedure will require plastic or wooden scrapers. Products made from it quickly regain their original appearance. They are easy to polish.
A vinegar solution is suitable for removing difficult stains. Do not forget that quartz jewelry requires constant care. If you treat them with care and precision, they will last a long time and will always delight their owner with beauty and sophistication.
Astrology of Watermelon Tourmaline
According to the horoscope, “stone pieces of watermelon” are suitable for Leo, Capricorn, and Sagittarius. The stone will help everyone stay young and attractive longer. Aries will tame their overly passionate temperament if they wear jewelry with a “tasty” stone. For Scorpios, with their often gloomy, gloomy energy, a bit of fun that a piece of jewelry made from a multi-colored stone will bring into their lives will not hurt.
The only zodiac sign that is not recommended to wear jewelry with a gem often and for a long time is Virgo.
Who is the watermelon stone suitable for?
And again we are talking about the color of the stone. The combination of colors allows it to influence all signs of the Zodiac to one degree or another.
The main thing is to know what exactly an unusual gem can bring into your life. What effect does the mineral have on the signs:
- Stops the temper and stubbornness in Aries
- Teaches Leo to humble their pride, find compromise solutions, listen and hear not only themselves. They gain balance and become calmer emotionally.
- Libra cope with doubts and gives confidence in their abilities.
- Reduces the level of stubbornness of Capricorns . Under the influence of the light energy of the stone, they become softer and more accommodating, and their internal contradictions are balanced.
- Next to the mineral, Aquarians become more responsible and gradually give up negative views on life and people.
- Geminis gain the concentration they lack so much . Having stopped being scattered about everything at once, they calm down and stabilize emotionally.
- Virgos begin to understand others better and become more open themselves. An amulet with a watermelon stone improves their relationships with friends and loved ones.
- In Sagittarius, the stone fosters conscientiousness and teaches how to correctly perceive criticism. Prevents the accumulation of negative thoughts and reduces the risk of depression.
- Suppresses the irritability of Scorpios and protects them from stress.
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