ORE FEATURES
A Monthly publication of Ozark Rock Exchange
VOL #8: Issue #11, August 1, 2007
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Main: >> Start Page >> ORE Features Archives >> Tourmaline (part 1) | |
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| ORE'S Featured Gemstone: Tourmaline (part 1)
Gemologists proclaim the Tourmaline to be the most colorful gemstone family in the mineral kingdom. Siblings in this group of Aluminum/Boran/Silica (aka complex Aluminous Borosilicate) crystals range from clear to a rainbow of colors appearing in the same specimen. Even the manner in which these colorful crystals grow is complex with a variety of metals influencing the final outcome. Tourmaline crystals grow in long, finger to needle like formations with fine striations running the length of the crystals. Most have basal (flat) terminations, but some rarer pieces will have pyramidal terminations on one or both ends. As Tourmaline grows it forms rings with six connecting sites (aka T sites). These sites are occupied at alternating intervals by Aluminum, Boron and Silica ions. This arrangement becomes even more complicated as the crystals grow. Every time one of these six points connects within this growing crystal ring, there is a new opportunity for a different metal (sometimes Iron, Manganese, Vanadium or even Copper) to be introduced into the equation. This opportunistic growth pattern allows for the distinctive zones of colors treasured Tourmalines like Rainbows and Watermelons exhibit. The largest quantities of Tourmaline are mined from pegmatites. Essentially gigantic geodes, they were once flowing magma containing gases which allows cavities to form as the magma cools and hardens. Normally rich with minerals and metals, pegmatites provide the perfect incubator for growing crystals and gemstones. A smaller number of crystals are found in streams and riverbeds, especially in the gem rich rivers of Burma. These usually end up in the rivers as a result of winds and rains wearing away the softer rocks the gems grew in. Very rare Tourmaline crystals will form fine pockets inside the striations that mark the crystal's surface. If the pockets align in a precise manner, or become filled with water, the gem may show chatoyancy (a shimmer like Tiger's Eye). Like their Quartz relations, Tourmaline crystals also produce electrical energy. In fact crystals exhibit both piezoelectricity (static electric charge) and pyroelectricity (a polarized charge that is positive at one end of the crystal and negative at the other). It is the crystal's static charge that actually launched it out of obscurity. In 1703 Dutch sailors were charging the crystals and using its piezoelectric charge to remove ashes from their pipes. As this practice grew, a couple of young geologists, Jacques and Pierre Curie began experimenting with Tourmaline. They were the first to document the gemstone's electrical properties in the early 1800's. Heating or rubbing a Tourmaline crystal will produce a piezoelectric (static) charge. The charge is strong enough to attract hair, tiny scraps of paper, ash and other light objects. Applying pressure (or any mechanical stress) to both ends of the crystal creates a pyroelectric charge. The second property makes the gemstone highly effective for instruments and gauges that measure pressure. That little black needle jumping wildly inside a gauge is probably a Tourmaline crystal. Geologists can also use the Tourmaline to measure past activity in areas where the crystal is found. Examining this gemstone closely allows them to guage how hot rocks in the same area have been or how much water has passed through the area. The crystal retains chemical signatures that helps them to determine the presence of precious metals like Gold, Platinum or Silver. The gemstone is very pleochroic. Simply translated, this means that cutting a crystal correctly is paramount to getting the most color out of it. If cut along the wrong axis, the final gem will appear cloudy, opaque and its color dull. For the most perfect results, Tourmalines must be cut parallel to the "c" or prism axis to bring out its most brilliant color and clarity. Tourmaline crystals are found all over the planet. Some of the finest Watermelon Tourmalines come from the US out of Maine and California. Beautiful clear and colorful specimens come from the Island of Elba just off the coast of Italy. The Ural Mountains of Russia contain an incredible green Tourmaline and crystals found in Burma are given names like Ceylon Peridot and Burma Ruby. Afghanistan, England, India, Africa, Sri Lanka and Madagascar also yield beautiful Tourmaline gems. In the early 1990's an brand new Tourmaline was discovered first in Brazil and then later in Nigeria. Called Paraiba Tourmaline after the location in Brazil where it was first found, these new gems are described as almost neon in color. Paraiba crystals have Copper inclusions which are responsible for the exotic blues and greens they exhibit. It is also the most expensive Tourmaline on the market today. A raw crystal will wholesale for $10,000 a carat. Experts believe these very special Tourmalines were created during the same geological event. Back in the day when Nigeria and Brazil were part of the same land mass. History behind the Tourmaline crystal seems a little opaque, as if it were cut along the wrong axis. It appears to have been in use for much longer than it is given credit for. Its name comes from an ancient Sinhalese word "turmali". It means "many colored gems" and was actually used by Ceylonese merchants to describe any crystal or gem of an unknown or unprovable source. Most sources cite the use of the crystal by Dutch sailors in the early 1700's as its introduction to humans. However, I found a small number of single sources indicating older applications. Melody's "Love Is In The Earth" claims it was used in India for rituals designed to get to the source of issues and to turn the pratictioner in the "right" direction. Michael Gienger mentions an ancient Arab tradition that utilizes Tourmaline to prevent nightmares in his "Crystal Power, Crystal Healing" book. Tourmaline's modern history is much easier to track. In 1876 a young man walks into Tiffany's in New York City to show Mr. Tiffany a luscious green crystal with deep pleochroism. George Kuntz, an employee on duty at the time, became completely enamored by the seemingly new gemstone. Mr. Kuntz began a life long campaign to bring this colorful, energetic crystal into mainstream jewelry and crystal art. The easy availability and popularity of Tourmalines today is almost completely the result of his efforts. We'll examine the Tourmaline rainbow next month, digging into their individual stories and possibilities. Pictures of Tourmaline o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o SUBSCRIBER'S SPECIAL: FREE Black Tourmaline Receive a FREE small Black Tourmaline (polished or a crystal) with any purchase from Ozark Rock Exchange. You can shop on line at https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart You can also place your order by email at stephanie@ozarkrockexchange.com or send your telephone number for a phone appointment. Discount will be taken at the time of purchase. You must be an ORE FEATURES subscriber as of August 1, 2007 to be eligible for the Subscriber's Special; the Subscriber Special is not valid with other offers (unless otherwise stated). Only one special per subscriber, please. This Subscriber Special expires September 4, 2007 o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o SKY NOTES Lammas, Wednesday August 1 o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o Hawk and Deer: The Rainbow Bridge Grass Whisper finishes her natal day apple with a joyful splash of juice. Winds Seeker blinks the juice from his eye and allows himself a giggle at the small Deer's expense. The two companions remain silent as the rest of the daylight disappears. In the full darkness of night, alone with his thoughts, the Hawk begins to assess the situation he has gotten himself into. Yesterday he thought his own life was over. Yet, the very same two-legged pathway that had taken everything from him, has also given him something new. Though Winds Seeker is still unsure if this new situation is any better. The older deer, sleeping beside Grass Whisper is gravely ill. All day, the yearling and the hawk spent gathering new grasses and bringing fresh water from the creek. She did not drink or eat anything. Again. Winds Seeker even tries chewing the grasses first then feeding them to the older deer (much like he would a hatchling). He endures the dry, unsavory taste of the grass gracefully, but the yearling's mother still would not eat. The young deer looks up at the quiet hawk with sleep heavy eyes. Joy from the simple treat that lit Grass Whisper's eyes earlier fades, like the light of the vanished day. She knows what must be in the old Hawk's mind, these have been her own thoughts. Luckily the child is blessed with the weariness of her day's efforts and quietly slips into a deep, empty sleep. Grandmother Moon slips some distance across the night sky before Winds Seeker falls into his own sleep. While his body rests, sad sounds and vicious visions haunt his spirit. During these quiet hours after the human count of midnight, the spirit of the older deer abandons her finished body. Free, the Deer Spirit rejoices the release her pain and hopelessness. She cuts her celebrating short as she remembers her sleeping yearling. The child lay so contentedly beside the still warm deer body. Deer Spirit is trying to wake Grass Whisper's spirit as a Rainbow Bridge begins to fall from the Night Stars. She know time is precious now and begins to tug desperately at the yearling's heart strings. The child's spirit wakes as the bridge finishes its journey beside her mother's feet. "Mother" the pure joy in the Yearling Spirit's voice almost breaks the mother's heart. "Mother you are well! Look you are walking! Come, please, we've brought the very best grasses for you to eat"! The child spirit barely contains her excitement. "Grass Whisper, my bright, beautiful Doe. How proud I am to have had the pleasure of mothering you". Yearling Spirit's excitement turns to curiosity. "I am leaving. I can no longer stay with my body. It is too weak to keep fighting the pain. Now my journey is across the Rainbow Bridge, where my Spirit will be free, running strong and leaping gracefully across galaxies". "Mother, it sounds so wonderful. I cannot wait to run and jump with you again". "No Grass Whisper, it is not your time to cross the Bridge". The child's spirit is confused by the responses from her mother's spirit. As she is trying to understand, a hawk and hatchling appear at the top of the Bridge. Yearling Spirit watches them approach, realizing as the pair gets closer, that these are truly the most beautiful hawks she has ever seen. Mother Hawk alights on the ground beside Deer Spirit and Hatchling lands with a little less grace on the deer's back. Yearling Spirit sees something very familiar in the young hawk's eyes. The three are washed in the hopeful colors of the Rainbow. The colors look warm and feel so comfortable. The young spirit wants to join her mother and the others in their light. Some deep knowledge stops her from acting on this desire. "You cannot leave here. I need your help with something on this side of the bridge". Yearling Spirit is caught by the Mother Hawk's entrancing voice. The child feels it is her honor to be of assistance to such a gracious creature. "Your new companion was my wing mate for many years. His heart is breaking because we will no longer touch wings on this side. His is a brave and valiant spirit. Because you are a child, he has set aside his grief to be sure that you are safe. You are now his reason to keep his wings strong. As much as my heart longs for my old wing mate, it is not Winds Seeker's time to cross Rainbow Bridge. I am asking you to please stay and remain his reason". What important words to give to a child. Yearling Spirit is trying to fully comprehend their intention when she recognizes the familiarity in the Hatchling Spirit's eyes. Complete comprehension comes with that recognition. Her mother's spirit is now free from the pain and illness that broke her body down. Crossing the Rainbow Bridge will keep her mother free from disease forever. Even as Grass Whisper says good bye to her loving mother, she will be embracing a brand new journey and purpose. Yearling Spirit knows the painful joy of letting someone you love cross over Rainbow Bridge. She can use this knowledge to heal Winds Seeker's grief. "Yes Mother Hawk. I will stay and help keep Winds Seeker's wings strong". "Grass Whisper, I am so proud. Thank you for letting me go, watch for me in your dreams. I love you my precious little Doe". "I love you mother". The child spirit watches the three begin their ascent up the Rainbow Bridge. Suddenly the Hatchling turns and shouts to the Yearling Spirit "Tell daddy I'm flying like the wind"! The voice trails off as they disappear into the colors of the bridge. Earliest rays of the Summer's morning Sun are just below the horizon when Yearling Spirit returns to her sleeping body. The elder hawk is sleeping peacefully now. When light breaks through the trees, he is the first to wake. The first to see no movement in the body of the mother deer. A closer inspection shows the truth, this body will move no more. Winds Seeker waits patiently for the yearling to wake up. Every few minutes he considers taking flight, he does not want to tell a child their mother is gone. Except that it is a child, and he cannot abandon a hatchling. Regardless of feathers or fur. It only took another small turn for a bright ray of morning Sun to pry open the young deer's eyes. Thoughts and memories rush to the front of her conscious as she awakens. The still body of her mother lay between her and Winds Seeker. She could see his fear of her sadness in his eyes and she steps around the body to nuzzle the uncomfortable hawk. Overcome by the warmth and compassion of his new companion, the elder hawk suddenly lets go of his own grief. As he leans into the comfort of the younger relation, she whispers to the lamenting father: "She said to tell you, she is flying like the wind now". Endings and beginnings turn the Universe in the quiet hidden meadow. We may not always know how the Universe is going to provide for us, but we may always know it is constantly turning to do so. o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: If I Were The Owner Contest! Once a year I like to step aside as the owner of Ozark Rock Exchange and let you take over. I've gotten so many wonderful ideas over the years from you, like the Poets Page, adding pictures to the archives or linking the catalog to the gemstone articles. Thanks! So, once again, it's time for you to tell me what to do. If you were the owner of Ozark Rock Exchange what would you do? What one new thing would you add? Answer these three questions and you'll be automatically registered for the "If I Were The Owner" contest and will have the chance to win an: Amethyst Cluster! Send your answers to webmaster@ozarkrockexchange.com They must be received by Tuesday September 4, 2007 at Midnight (CDST). One entry per person please. You can see a picture of the prize and get more information on the contest here: http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/highlights/events/index.shtml o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o~~~^*^~~~o<>o What's Happening At Ozark Rock Exchange? PRICE INCREASE: As I have tried to warn you, the prices at Ozark Rock Exchange are going up. Because the catalog is so large, it will take me a few days to get everything updated. If you purchase an item during these transitional days before I am able to adjust it, well, you win, and save again :)! Hurry and shop and try to beat me, https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart NEW ARRIVALS: I have sorted out some of the nicest points from the recent shipments of Citrine, Amethyst and double terminated Quartz crystals. These should be photographed and in the catalog by middle of the August. You can keep updated on new arrivals here: TENNESSEE PAGAN PRIDE EVENTS: In September I will be taking the Mobile ORE Store to two different Pagan Pride events in Tennessee. The weekend of September 15 I will be in Nashville and September 29 at Memphis Pagan Pride Day. I will be teaching a workshop at both events, as well as setting up booths. Hope I get to see you at one of these days!! --+--+--+-- ©Copyright 2007, Stephanie Pflumm, All Rights Reserved Worldwide. No portion of this newsletter may be reproduced without the written permission of the editor/founder, Stephanie Pflumm. Please feel free to share with a friend. |
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