description Indicolite Tourmaline Overview
Indicolite is the blue to blue-green color variety of elbaite, a species in the tourmaline mineral group. Its color is associated with trace elements in the crystal structure, and individual stones may show pleochroism, displaying different shades when viewed from different directions. Transparent material is cut for jewelry and gem collecting, with commercially significant specimens originating from pegmatite deposits in countries including Brazil and Afghanistan.
help Indicolite Tourmaline FAQ
What gives indicolite tourmaline its blue color?
The blue to blue-green color of indicolite is caused by trace elements of copper or iron embedded within the elbaite crystal structure. Heat treatments are sometimes applied to darker stones to lighten the blue tone and remove unwanted brown or green tints.
Is indicolite tourmaline an expensive gemstone?
Fine-quality blue indicolite is considered one of the rarer and more expensive varieties of tourmaline on the market. Pure blue stones without secondary green or gray tones command the highest prices per carat, though they are still generally more affordable than copper-bearing Paraiba tourmaline.
Does indicolite tourmaline change color depending on the angle?
Yes, indicolite exhibits strong pleochroism, meaning it displays different shades of blue or green when viewed from different crystallographic axes. Because of this pleochroism, gem cutters must carefully orient the rough stone before cutting to maximize the best blue color when the final gem is set.
Are indicolite and Paraiba tourmaline the same thing?
No, while both are blue tourmalines, Paraiba is a distinct, neon-colored variety colored by copper and manganese, first discovered in the Brazilian state of Paraiba. Indicolite covers the broader range of blue to blue-green tourmalines and typically lacks the intense, electric glow characteristic of Paraiba stones.
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