Collection: Polychrome tourmaline

Polychrome tourmaline , also called multicolored tourmaline or sometimes watermelon tourmaline (in some specific cases), is a variety of tourmaline notable for its multiple colors visible on a single crystal.

🌈 General characteristics

• Mineral family: Silicate, tourmaline group

• General chemical formula: (Na,Ca)(Li,Mg,Al)(Al,Fe)₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄

• Crystal system: Trigonal

• Hardness: 7 to 7.5 (Mohs scale)

• Luster: Vitreous

• Colors: Combinations of green, pink, red, blue, yellow, brown, sometimes black — in the same crystal or in different areas.

🎨 Origin of the color

The varied colors come from the different chemical elements present:

• Iron (Fe): blue-green to black

• Manganese (Mn): pink to red

• Lithium (Li), chromium, vanadium: give various shades

Some crystals have natural color zoning due to chemical changes during their growth.

🔍 Watermelon tourmaline vs. polychrome

• Watermelon Tourmaline: Pink center surrounded by a green rim, reminiscent of a watermelon. This is a very specific form of polychrome tourmaline.

• Polychrome tourmaline: A more general term that refers to any tourmaline with several distinct colors, without necessarily having this "watermelon" structure.

🌍 Geographical origin

Polychrome tourmalines are found mainly in:

• Brazil (especially in the state of Minas Gerais)

• Madagascar

• Afghanistan

• Nigeria

• Mozambique

💎 Use and symbolism

• Jewelry: Highly prized for rings, pendants, earrings.

• Lithotherapy:

  • Balances emotions

  • Promotes creativity

  • Harmonizes energies

  • Protects against negative waves

📌 Interesting Facts

• Tourmaline is pyroelectric : it can generate an electric charge when heated.

• It is also piezoelectric : it produces a charge when it is compressed.