English

For thousands of years, tourmalines have surrounded us in a whirlwind of colors, like those of a rainbow. While they come in a vast variety of colors, causing them to resemble many other gemstones, they remain unique in their own right. In fact, one often discovers unexpected shades and concentrations of color, all within the same crystal. Sometimes these stones even unveil their magic by revealing a cat’s eye! The word "tourmaline" encompasses a group of minerals that are full of surprises. They share the same crystal structure but are characterized by different chemical and physical properties. Yet another example of nature’s many treasures: the same type of gem can come in a thousand and one different forms, depending on the elements it contains. Tourmalines are silicates, which means they are composed mainly of silica combined with various metallic oxides. The diversity of these elements is what gives these gems their most original feature: a wide range of colors. Fully monochrome tourmalines are rare!

2011-03-03 12:29:08