What can be hidden behind the name "watermelon tourmaline"? An unusual treat, a melon variety or an outlandish gem? If you do not know the answer to this question, read our article - from it you will learn all the details.
Watermelon color
This is a variety of tourmaline. There are many subspecies of this mineral and each of them is beautiful in its own way. The name of the stone is due to an unusual color. The gem of amazing beauty has a truly unique gamut: the stone inside is pink, and its edges are painted in emerald green. It seems that the pebble glows from the inside. Jewelers try to emphasize the outlandish color when cutting, so jewelry with this stone looks really fabulous.
Even more unusual color of the stone is much less common when the pink edge is combined with the green middle. These nuggets have an even greater price and value.
But nature awarded this mineral not only with beauty, but also with extraordinary properties.
Powerful aphrodisiac
Watermelon tourmaline was very popular in India. In ancient times, men greatly appreciated it. Hindus wore rings and rings with this gem as an amulet that can increase attractiveness. He was considered a natural aphrodisiac. The stone was considered so powerful that women were forbidden to wear it, so that under its influence they would not become too seductive and liberated.
This gem came to Europe from Ceylon. At the beginning of the XVIII century the Dutch brought him. But in Russia, watermelon tourmaline by that time was already well known. He got there from the East in the 16th century and found wide application.
Practical benefit
Surprisingly, the Europeans did not immediately discern the beauty of the watermelon tourmaline. The stone was attracted by its property to attract warm wood ash, due to which it was used for a long time to clean smoking pipes.
The pyroelectric effect is also noticeable: the heated tourmaline begins to become electrified. The use of watermelon tourmaline in jewelry in Europe began a little later.
Russian craftsmen decorated church utensils and the clothes of priests with this gem, made jewelry combining outlandish stones with gold and silver. A fabulously beautiful gem was also used in the world, but only the most prosperous could afford jewelry with it, because it cost a lot of money.
There is a watermelon tourmaline and in some works of the great master Faberge.
Gem mining
This mineral is mined in granites and in granite pegmatites. Sometimes crystals are found in shales and gneisses. In appearance, they look like thin long prisms with vertical grooves.
A lot of deposits are known in the world. They get a fabulous tourmaline with watermelon color in Russia and the Urals. Artificially, a stone with a similar color cannot be grown. But the risk of running into a fake is great enough.
Cutting Methods
Some jewelers prefer to leave the watermelon variety of tourmaline untreated. This allows you to convey its natural beauty. The stone has transparency above average, small inclusions are acceptable.
Processing in the form of a cabochon allows you to achieve the flickering effect of “cat's eye”. But much more often you can find step and mixed cut. A thin cut of stone looks so unusual and intricate that jewelers do not strive for symmetry, maintaining their natural shape and only polishing both surfaces of tourmaline. In jewelry with such stones there is a peculiar charm.
Jewelry Application
Many are delighted with the vivid beauty of watermelon tourmaline. I would like to consider a photo of this stone for a long time, what can we say about jewelry. Some owners of gems of this type claim that the stone has such a juicy appearance that I want to taste it.
Bracelets, beads, rings, earrings and pendants are made from this gem. Jewelers combine a watermelon variety with other tourmalines, complementing the composition with gold or silver.
This mineral is very loved by collectors. Moreover, they are interested not only in stones processed and set into precious metals, but also in uncut nuggets resembling juicy slices of ripe watermelon.
It is noteworthy, but in our days the stone has found application not only in jewelry. For the production of pressure gauges, some electrical appliances and even medical equipment, watermelon tourmaline is also used.
Stone properties
Experts believe that this mineral, like many of its brethren, has the ability to emit negatively charged ions and infrared rays. The gem can block electromagnetic radiation of low intensity.
Almost all varieties of tourmaline have healing properties. Moreover, the spectrum of their application is quite wide.
Watermelon tourmaline is a stone whose properties make it possible to combat diseases of the liver, blood and cardiovascular system, and skin integuments. It allows the wearer to keep his youth, helps him get rid of seizures, problems with blood vessels, joint pain.
Some people believe in magical properties. It is believed that this stone gives self-confidence, protects from ill-wishers, enhances attractiveness.
