Watermelon Tourmaline Looks…Delicious #gems #crystals #minerals #science #nature #gemstones
Watermelon Tourmaline Looks…Delicious #gems #crystals #minerals #science #nature #gemstones
Via Mindat (an excellent source for mineralogy information):
Formula: A(D3)G6(T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z
Colour: Green rims on red/pink cores
Lustre: Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Hardness: 7 – 7½
Name: Watermelon tourmaline is a variety of concentrically color-zoned tourmaline with red interiors and green exteriors and is distinct from longitudinal bi-color or polychrome zonation. The name was coined by George Robeley Howe [1860-1950] of Norway, Maine, USA. The name was first used in a Lewiston, Maine newspaper account in 1910 when describing specimens from the Havey Quarry in Poland, Maine, USA. The name was used in an international publication, Mineral Resources of the United States, by Douglas B. Sterrett in 1911.
Watermelon Tourmaline is typically the combination of verdelite and rubellite tourmalines. These are usually elbaite tourmalines and both will typically have lithium inclusions in them. However it’s just fascinating to see how crystals form. In this case, the rubellite tourmaline formed first and then possibly many years later, during a new geological event, the verdelite formed over the rubellite. Fascinating!
#gems #crystals #nature #tourmaline #minerals #gemstone #science
I’m guessing that isn’t the mineral of the month for February?! Watermelon tourmaline is definitely on my wish list.
It’s so pretty!
Beautiful! I love pretty rocks!
It’s been one of my favorites since I was just a kid. Just recently learning about it from you. I have always loved anything green but you put pink next to it. My fave color combo
Makes me want Watermelon Jolly Rancher now. I like it, very pretty.
my favourite are from the Pederneira Mine, i wouldnt slice those
Watermelone!
my friend in pakistan often have those kind of bi color tourmaline in calcite
Watermelon tourmaline is beautiful. The cut and faceted examples kind of detracts from the beauty of the natural cleavage of the stone. Cabuchons of it are nice though.
Why do things that aren’t food look so good. I love it.
I have been there & dug the mine… stunning what you could find back in the day
I’ll take all of it. All. Of. It. ALL!!!
Water melons are so cool
I do love the watermelon colours. It’s a shame that pieces are dyed to look like the real thing when it isn’t.
Another really cool crystal is solar quartz. How that forms is really neat!
A several similar sized slices of watermelon tourmaline strung together would make a really cool necklace.
That definitely looks watermelon candy flavored
Pretty
On my to do list is digging tourmaline in California!