RUBELLITE TOURMALINE

When Tourmaline appears to look like a Ruby it is renamed Rubellite. However, just like the debate about when a dark Pink Sapphire becomes a Ruby, Tourmaline is only renamed Rubellite if its deep red colours are seen in both daylight and artificial light. If its hues are not profound under both lighting conditions, it is renamed Pink Tourmaline.

Rubellite’s name is derived from the Latin word “rubellus” which literally translates to “coming from red”.

Inclusions in Rubellite are fairly common, as the chemical structures responsible for its wonderful colour also create “jardin” (the French word for garden, and is used to describe Mother Nature’s inclusions).

The gem is a real treasure. It is far rarer than its closest rival Ruby and many people find it infinitely more attractive. However, as often happens in the gem world, it does not command such a high price as its competitor, due to it being less well-known.

RHODONITE

Just like Bette Davis, Rhodonite is the official gem of Massachusetts. Its name is derived from the Greek work “Rhodon” meaning rose. It was discovered in the 17th century and for several years it was considered the national stone of Russia.

Its uses vary from cameos to beautiful jewellery. Its pink body colour has a vitreous lustre and the gem is distinguished by black veins called dendrites, which form patterns across the main body. Very rarely, transparent Rhodonite is found which is exceedingly fragile and greatly prized by collectors.

As the stone is usually opaque, it is commonly cut as cabochons or into beads. It has also been claimed to have specific therapeutic qualities, promoting relaxation and the soothing of the nervous system. It is said to aid self-worth and imbue confidence in romantic matters.

As well as being discovered in Massachusetts and Russia, the gem has also been found in Sweden and Australia.

RHODOLITE GARNET

A blend of two parts Pyrope to one part Almandine, this rare Garnet is found in many wonderful shades of pink, red and occasionally lavender.
Named after the Greek “rhod” and “lithos”, which together translate as “rose stone”, this name was first used to describe a pink coloured Garnet from North Carolina, USA.
Rhodolite Garnet tends to be lighter in colour than most other red Garnets and has even been confused with Ruby due to their similarity in colour. Rhodolite is highly refractive which leads to its stunning brilliance.

As the gem is a fairly new member of the Garnet family, it does not have a lot of legends and folklore attached to it in its own right. That said, due to its similarity in colour to several other members of its family, it is believed that Indian tribes used the gem to enhance the potency of fire and placed it next to those who were sick in order to aid recovery.

PINK TOURMALINE

The name Tourmaline comes from the Sinhalese word “turamali” which means “mixed precious stones”. In the gem trade (due to its almost electrifying colour) the pink variety of Tourmaline is often known as “Shocking Pink Tourmaline”.

This gem is often confused with other gems. Indeed, the Russian Crown Jewels were thought to contain beautiful large Rubies but they turned out to be dark Pink Tourmalines. Its sensual colour occurs because it is rich in lithium.

The Empress Dowager Tz’u, the last empress of China, loved Pink Tourmaline so much she went to rest eternally on a pillow carved from Pink Tourmaline.

When women wear Pink Tourmaline, it is said to empower; it also said to help in reaching one’s full potential.

PARAIBA TOURMALINE

This is one of the most sought after gemstones on the planet. The stunning Paraiba Tourmaline ranges from neon, swimming pool blue to an electric greenish blue. Its name is derived from the Paraiba State in Brazil, where it was first discovered.

What makes this gem so different to other Tourmalines is the presence of copper and, to a lesser extent, manganese. The copper within the gem is what makes it appear to glow and this almost neon effect is truly a delight to see.

Due to its range of intense colours, which are similar to that of a peacock, this most spectacular gem is known in the gem trade as the “Peacock Gem”.

Crystal Healers have already embraced this new gemstone and believe its powers are the greatest of all Tourmalines. Many state that the different hues have different abilities: these include promoting general wellbeing, increasing self-motivation and intensifying the desire to help and support others.

The Paraiba story would make a great film and would provide an even better sequel. Its original discovery was back in 1989, due to the work of Heitor Barbosa. This lone gem hunter was convinced that under a tiny little hill measuring no more than 400 by 200 metres and standing only 60 metres high lay a new gemstone waiting to be discovered. He told his close friends that he was not digging just to extract a quantity of gems which had already been discovered in this famous gem area of Brazil, but was going to make a new discovery.

He first cut ground in 1981 and worked relentlessly for many years without success. Then, in the autumn of 1989, while he was at home recovering from an illness, a tiny amount of a new Tourmaline was discovered by his assistants. For several years after, the small hill (later renamed Paraiba Hill) was trawled in an attempt to find more Paraiba, but it was mainly unsuccessful.

The sequel took place in Nigeria in 2001, when a discovery of Tourmaline was found to exhibit the same optical beauty of Paraiba and after scientific examination was found to contain copper. Bingo! The plot then gathered pace and the gem industry ferociously debated whether the gem should be called Paraiba Tourmaline, or whether a new name should be given as it was found in a completely different continent. In the end, it was decided that because it is of the same chemical composition and therefore very difficult for gem experts to distinguish between the two, it would be simpler to allow it to take on the Paraiba title. The film thus came to an end, and as the camera drew back, we realise that these two films, both shot on location, on different continents, have been delicaely scripted to succinctly confirm the theory of continental drift.

MOONSTONE

Moonstones come in a variety of colours, ranging from colourless to white, grey brown, yellow, orange, green, or even pink. Clarity ranges from transparent to translucent and the traditional place of origin is Sri Lanka, where the Moonstones tend to be almost transparent with a bluish flicker.

This gem owes its name to its mysterious shimmer that bears resemblance in colour to the moon.
This silvery to bluish iridescence is caused by the intergrowth of two different types of Feldspar which have different refractive indexes. This always looks different when the stone is moved, and is known in the trade as ‘adularescence’.

Surrounded by mystery and magic, this gemstone has featured in different cultures for thousands of years. In India it is regarded as a magical and holy gemstone and is often used as a ‘dream stone’ bringing the wearer beautiful visions at night. In Arabian cultures Moonstone was often worn on female garments as they were viewed as a sign of fertility.

Moonstone was also extremely popular in Roman times, as they thought the gemstone was formed out of moonlight. Romans were setting the gemstone in their jewellery as early as 100AD, and in more recent times the gem was popular in the Art Nouveau period.

Many gemstone collectors find the most pleasing Moonstones have a blue sheen and a colourless body. Due o there being more demand than supply, today good quality blue Moonstones are becoming more and more of a rarity and have therefore risen sharply in price.

The gem is usually set in rings, pendants and earrings, with lesser-graded Moonstone used in beaded necklaces. Its healing ability is said to align your vertebrae, be a good digestive aid and also soothes and balances emotions. Moonstone’s mystical powers are said to protect women and babies. It’s also associated with the oceans and planting cycles. The gemstone is said to balance yin and yang as well as bringing god fortune to the wearer. Legend says that Moonstone is a highly prized gift for lovers as it arouses tender passion.

Along with Alexandrite and Pearls, Moonstone is one of the birthstones for June.

MALACHITE

Malachite is a gorgeous green gemstone, named after the Greek word “molochites” for “mallow”, a savoury green herb. Its light and dark green bands are very distinctive, making it one of the most easily recognisable of all gemstones.

Malachite was crushed and used as a green pigment in the Bronze Age and its use in jewellery can be traced back as early as 4000BC when it was worn by Egyptians. In the Middle Ages Malachite was worn to protect from black magic and sorcery. It is said that Malachite can be worn to detect impending danger and it is believed to lend extra energy and bring harmony into one’s life.