When it comes to pink gemstones, we all know that the tourmaline rules the roost. Blessed with a jaw-dropping hue and incredible brilliance, this timeless beauty is guaranteed to win eyes and hearts wherever it goes.
That said, the stone’s appearance isn’t the only cool thing about it. Interested in knowing more? If yes, we highly recommend reading the facts mentioned below :-
Fact #1: Pink Tourmalines Are Pleochroic
Are you someone who loves adding drama to their daily outfit? If so, the pink tourmaline is definitely for you. The gem is desired worldwide for its pleochroism – an optical illusion that allows the stone to showcase different hues when viewed from different angles.
Fact #2: The Gem Has a Long and Interesting History
Throughout history, the pink tourmaline has been admired for its gorgeous hue and so-called magical abilities. In Ancient India, for example, the stone was frequently used to awaken one’s insight and better help them distinguish between good and bad. Africans, on the other hand, used the jewel to enhance their mental clarity and experience relief from disillusion.
Fact #3: Pink Tourmalines Have a Complex Molecular Structure
Pink tourmalines have a unique pyroelectric property. This means that the jewel can get electrically charged if rubbed or heated. Because of this, various alchemists linked the gem to the philosopher’s stone and used it for different purposes.
Not only that, but when Dutch traders discovered that the heated gemstone could attract dust, they started using it to draw out the ash left in their smoking pipes. They eventually started calling it ‘Aschentrekker’ meaning ‘ash puller.’
Fact #4: The Stone Was Once Mistaken for a Ruby
Yes, it’s true! In 1777, King Gustavus III of Sweden presented Queen Catherine with a gorgeous pendant set that showcased a remarkable jewel known as “Caesar’s Ruby.”
The gem weighed 250 carats and eventually became an important part of the famous Romanov crown jewels. It wasn’t until much later when experts realised that the gem was not a ruby but rather a deeply saturated pink tourmaline.
Fact #5: The Gem Was a Favourite of the Chinese Empress
Many historians believe that the last Chinese Empress of the Chi’ing Dynasty (Tz’u Hsi) discovered and fell in love with the tourmaline in the mid to late 1800s. In fact, she was so enamored by the stone that she bought several from the USA and had them specially delivered to her country.
This is especially true for the pink variety. After her death, she was laid to rest on a tourmaline pillow to represent her extreme love for the gemstone.
Did You Know?
That the slender blade of a pink tourmaline was found piercing the top of a blue-pink variety in Brazil in 2011. This natural wonder was later named “The Great Divide” and is currently acknowledged as the most expensive tourmaline in the world.
pink tourmalines facts
- Are pink tourmalines rare?For the most part, this gemstone isn’t considered to be exceptionally rare. Having said that, fine-quality pink tourmalines can be extremely hard to find.
- How can you tell if your pink tourmaline is real?While there are several ways to do the same, the best method to tell if a pink tourmaline is real is to hold the stone close to your mouth and breathe on it. If the gem takes longer than 3-4 seconds to clear up, it is probably a fake made of glass.
- What does the pink tourmaline symbolize?Currently, the pink tourmaline is used to symbolize joy, enlightenment and purity.
- Is the pink tourmaline a precious gemstone?No, the pink tourmaline is not a precious gemstone.
