Tourmaline is famous for its wide range of colors. But some Tourmaline colors are actually very rare, especially blue.
The blue Tourmaline that has attracted the most attention is the super rare paraiba variety that was first discovered in Brazil in 1989, and then later in Nigeria and Mozambique. These gems, colored by copper, have an unusual neon-like quality that is prized by collectors.
But all blue Tourmaline is rare, even the non-copper-bearing specimens. Bluish Tourmalines -- often referred to under the name Indicolite -- are colored by iron. A pure blue is extremely rare, and most Indicolites will have some green secondary hue. A teal or blue-green color would be most typical. The purer blues will tend to be found only in smaller sizes, while larger stones will tend to have a stronger green component.
Recently some extraordinary blue Tourmaline has been discovered in Namibia in southern Africa. They include some pure blues, some teal blues and some vivid bicolor blue-green gems that display blue on the table and green on the ends.
We have seen fine blue-green Tourmaline from Nigeria, Mozambique, Brazil and Afghanistan. But this Namibian material is among the most beautiful and vivid we've seen.
We feature some stunning examples in this month's Notable Gems. These are very high quality gems with outstanding clarity and vibrant and open colors. The rarity and beauty of these gems makes them an important addition to any gem collection. We think they are among the most exciting colored stones to reach the market in recent years.
See our collection of Fine Blue Tourmaline
Notable Gems from the AJS Collection
This month we feature fine Blue Namibian Tourmalines from our recent acquisitions, including two matched pairs, a pure blue emerald cut and a vivid blue Asscher cut. Click on any photo to view the details for the gem.
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2.66 ct Vibrant Blue Tourmaline Matched Pair from Namibia [SOLD]
A fine pair of loupe clean, Vibrant Blue Tourmalines from the new find in Namibia they will make a perfect pair of earrings. This new Namibian material is made from beautiful crystal and is completely clean with a lovely Caribbean sea blue color. They have been fashioned into well-proportioned cushion cuts that are full of life with excellent brilliance. Guaranteed natural and untreated.
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A superb loupe clean, Vibrant Blue Tourmaline from the recent find in Nambia! This is beautiful crystal with a vivid open color, in an elegant emerald cut that will set up beautifully in your jewelry design. You will be amazed at the color of this rare Tourmaline, it will be an important addition to any gem collection. Guaranteed natural and untreated.
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5.34 ct Vibrant Blue Tourmaline from Namibia [SOLD]
An extraordinary loupe clean, Vibrant Blue Tourmaline from the recent find in Nambia, in an unusually large size for this rare material! This is beautiful crystal with a vivid open color, in an elegant cushion perfect for an important ring. You will be amazed at the color of this rare Tourmaline, and it will make an impressive piece of jewelry. Guaranteed natural and untreated. See the video |
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A fine pair of loupe clean, Vibrant Blue Tourmalines from the new find in Namibia they will make a perfect pair of earrings. This new Namibian material is made from beautiful crystal and is completely clean with a lovely Caribbean sea blue color. They have been fashioned into a well-proportioned ovals that are full of life with excellent brilliance. Guaranteed natural and untreated. |
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A superb loupe clean, Vibrant Blue Tourmaline from the recent find in Nambia! This is beautiful crystal with a gorgeous saturated blue color, in an elegant cushion that will set up beautifully in your jewelry design. You will be amazed at the color of this rare Tourmaline, it will be an important addition to any gem collection. Guaranteed natural and untreated. |
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An extraordinary Caribbean Sea Blue Tourmaline from the recent find in Nambia! This is beautiful crystal with a mouth watering deep color, fashioned in an elegant Asscher cut for an important ring. You will be amazed at the color of this rare Tourmaline, and the fine quality of the cut. Guaranteed natural and untreated. |
News from AJS and the Gems World
Thanksgiving Gift Sale
Birthstones for November: Topaz and Citrine
If you're lucky to be born in November, you have the choice of two golden gems for birthstones -- Citrine and Topaz.
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| Citrine from Uruguay | Imperial Topaz from Brazil |
Citrine is the name used for the the yellow to gold color of quartz. It can also be found in orange and orange-red colors, sometimes sold under the name Madeira Citrine. Since quartz is a very common mineral, gem-quality Citrine is very affordable and can often be found in large sizes. High quality Citrine is completely untreated.
The finest Topaz is known as Imperial Topaz. It is golden to golden-orange to orange, pink, pinkish-red or violet in color. It is a rare stone that is suitable for all kinds of jewelery, with excellent hardness (8 on the Mohs scale) and completely untreated.
See our collection of Fine Citrine
See our collection of Fine Imperial Topaz
Ask the Gem Experts
Each month we answer questions from our customers. We welcome your questions and you can submit a question from our contact page.
I am wondering what the difference is between the Purple Garnets and the Rhodolite Garnets? Are they different varieties of garnet? Thanks for any information. TS, USA
The Purple Garnets from Mozambique and Tanzania are very unusual. What's special about these garnets is the wonderful color -- an intense purple with red flashes that we call Royal Purple. The Mozambique material in particular has a bright open color with wonderful brilliance. If this wasn't enough, these garnets also display a fascinating color change, from grape under daylight to cranberry with magenta flashes under incandescent lighting.
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| Royal Purple Garnet Color Change |
Though the chemical composition (pyrope-almandine) classifies these gems as rhodolite garnet, lab analysis of the absorption spectra showed some unique properties. Since the main absorption bands dominate the green-yellow regions of the visible spectrum, two strong blue and red transmission regions combine to produce an eye-visible purple color, and also account for the strong color change.
The top grade Royal Purple Garnets from Mozambique are among the most beautiful garnets we've seen anywhere ... an outstanding stone for the rare gem collector.
All the best in gems,
Ron, May & and Rung
