Tourmaline 4-6x8-9mm Irregular Rondelle Bead - 15-16 InchTourmaline is classified as a semiprecious stone and occurs in a vast array of colors, everything from colorless to black, from pastel to bright to dark. It can even exhibit various colors within the same specimen. Its name derives from the Sinhalese word turamali, which translates to stone of many colors. Due to this variety of colors, Tourmaline has often been confused with other stones. Many stones in the Russian crown jewels from the 17th century

featuring a Mohs hardness of 7

The best available information indicates that the stone is a type of Dolomite that has been altered by volcanic activity

is desired by some collectors as proof of a natural stone

In addition to its value as a gemstone

turquoise and white stone that can have streaks and patterns of white

which in many species is highly iridescent

calcium carbonate and other materials

Origin: Brazil

reds and grays

Sizes of rough cut specimens will vary in size

and therefore is not an Agate in the strictest terms

It is found in rare pallasite meteorites believed to have been formed 4