WATERMELON TOURMALINE

Watermelon tourmaline, diamond and platinum earrings

Variety:  Parti-colored
Species:  Tourmaline
​​Mohs Hardness:  7 to 7.5 out of 10
Color:  Strong color zoning in varying combinations of blues, greens, and reds often combined with alternating colorless layers.
RI:  1.624 to 1.644 (+/-0.005)
Birefringence:  Usually 0.018 to 0.020
SR/DR/AGG:  DR
Clarity Type:  Type III
Optic Character:  Uniaxial negative
Pleochroism:  Usually medium to strong, but can vary.
Spectrum:  Often not diagnostic
Fluorescence:  Varies
SG:  3.06 (+0.20 / -0.06)
Routine Treatments:  Heating
Additional Enhancements:  N/A

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Watermelon Tourmaline Facts

Platinum, watermelon tourmaline and diamond pendant

While tourmaline occurs in many different colors, it can also occur in bicolor or tricolor crystals.  Watermelon tourmaline is an example of a tricolor tourmaline that is often cut into slices, showing off its unique color zoning.

Fun Fact:  Tourmaline is both pyroelectric and piezoelectric, meaning it is a gem that becomes electrically charged when heated or squeezed!

Watermelon Tourmaline Gallery

All photos courtesy of Scott Papper, GG, ASA, CMA, RGA, AJP, CMSP, CSSP