PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- GROUP Silicates - cyclosilicates
- COMPOSITION Na(Mg,Fe,Li,Mn,Al)3Al6(BO3 )3If6 · 018(OH,F)4
- COLOR Black, green, brown, red, blue, yellow or pink
- CRYSTALLINE SYSTEM Hexagonal / trigonal
- CRYSTALLINE HABIT Prismatic, acicular
- HARDNESS 7 - 7.5
- FRACTURE Unequal to conchoidal
- EXFOLIATION Null
- GLOSS Vitreous
- STRIP Colorless
- TRANSPARENCY From transparent to translucent
- SPECIFIC GRAVITY 3.0 - 3.2
- REFRACTIVE INDEX 1.61 - 1.64
MINERALOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The watermelon tourmaline is a variety of tourmaline which is characterized by having a pink inner part and a green outer part. When a watermelon tourmaline crystal is cut crosswise, the red color in the center and the surrounding green color can be perfectly appreciated.
It belongs to the Elbaite family, which are gem quality chromatic tourmalines. Within this family there are also pink, red, green and blue varieties. Colored tourmalines are characterized by their dichroism and are usually scarce and valued in jewelry making.
The tourmalines are borosilicates that are characterized by having a variable composition between them although they have the same crystalline structure. Its crystals are usually prismatic and it is found in pegmatites, in granites, in hydrothermal veins and in pneumatolithic veins.
Deposits: Brazil, India, Afghanistan, United States, Canada, Mexico, Namibia, Russia, Africa and Madagascar.
THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES
The watermelon tourmaline is the ideal crystal for the heart chakra because in a single crystal it combines the energy and strength of two colors, green and pink. Harmonizes, softens and activates the 4th chakra. Whatever the ailment of the physical body, watermelon tourmaline helps to regenerate and balance it. At a healing level, it is said that it enhances nerve regeneration.
The tourmaline is considered a stone of cleansing, protection and transformation. It is said that the strength of tourmaline is due to the shape of its parallel grooves, which transform dense energies and increase vibration.
