Watermelon tourmaline is a special kind of tourmaline that is pink in the center with a green perimeter, similar to a watermelon, hence the name. Tourmaline gems, including watermelon tourmaline, display pleochroism, meaning their color changes when viewed from different angles. The intensity of the pleochroism varies and is a significant consideration for gem cutters to bring out the best color. Its color will depend on the presence of magnesium and lithium.
The colors you see in the stone represent its formation process. As pink tourmaline thickens in the center, exposure to additional minerals such as manganese and lithium causes a color change. Watermelon tourmaline is characterized by its banded colors – a red or pink center is surrounded by a green rim, often separated by a lighter pink or white band. These color bands can also occur at either end of the gem, leading to debates about whether such stones should be categorized as watermelon tourmalines or bi-color tourmalines. That’s up to you to decide.
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The gemstone was first discovered in Newry, Maine in 1902 and has been gaining popularity since.
Watermelon tourmaline meaning
Emotional healing: Watermelon tourmaline is often referred to as a “heart stone” due to its emotional healing properties. It’s said to help soothe and calm emotions, all while potentially helping heal deep emotional wounds. This can be said with all tourmalines. Many prefer to wear jewelry over their heart on a necklace or locket, for instance, to help combat emotional distress. Simply put, this gemstone may help you release negative emotional baggage, helping you move forward from grief, trauma, and emotional pain. This could rejuvenate your life force.
Peace, energy and joy: It represents a blend of pink and green tourmaline, which brings peaceful energy and promotes joy, love, compassion, and gratitude.
Positive emotions: The stone may help combat feelings of anxiety and depression, encouraging more positive emotions such as joy and happiness. Spiritualists report that people who use it may feel more adventurous, energetic, self-loving, and confident when carrying or wearing it.
Meditating: Meditating with a piece of watermelon tourmaline placed over your heart is recommended, as its healing vibrations are said to inject your aura with each heartbeat. Meditating may help you feel calm and relaxed, slowing your heart rate and promoting emotional healing.
Life balance reminder: The bi-colored appearance serves as a reminder of life’s balance – the ups and downs.
Watermelon properties
Clarity: The clarity can range from transparent to opaque. Transparent pieces with few inclusions are considered to be the most valuable.
Color: It displays a unique bi-color zoning – a pink or red center surrounded by a green exterior, giving it the appearance of a watermelon slice, hence the name.
Formation: It forms in a hexagonal structure with elongated striations. Its color is determined by the presence of magnesium and lithium.
Hardness: Watermelon Tourmaline scores a 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it a very durable stone suitable for various types of jewelry.
Luster: Watermelon Tourmaline has a vitreous (glass-like) luster when polished.
Watermelon tourmaline chakra
Watermelon Tourmaline is particularly connected to the heart chakra, which is located over your breastbone. This is the chakra that is linked with relationships, love, self-acceptance, and spirituality. If the heart chakra is blocked, for example, it can manifest as feelings of jealousy, anger, shame, or self-hatred. Watermelon tourmaline is said to balance the heart chakra, which may promote joy, compassion, self-love, and a deeper spiritual awareness.
As your heart heals, it unfolds inner wisdom and truths, paving the way for new love and happiness. Though the healing process takes time, it supports the journey of learning to fully trust your heart.
Where is watermelon tourmaline found?
It was first discovered in Maine in a town called Norway, unearthed at Maine’s Plumbago Gem Pit.
Aside from Maine, it can also be found in other countries including Nigeria, Madagascar, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, and Brazil. Brazil, specifically the Minas Gerais region, is renowned for producing some of the finest watermelon tourmalines that you see on the market today.
Watermelon tourmaline price
The price has increased as of late due to the depletion of the mineral’s mines, making the gemstone harder to source.
The prices for watermelon tourmaline can greatly vary on so many factors such as the color, clarity, cut and where you purchase it. Below are some estimates to consider.
Rough pieces can average between $3 and $10 per carat, but lower-quality specimens can be seen for as little as $1.50 per carat and higher-quality ones for up to $20 per carat.
Faceted pieces are usually the most expensive, ranging between $20 to $75 per carat. Lower-end faceted specimens can be found for around $10 per carat, whereas high-end gems can cost up to $75 per carat.
Cabochons are slightly less expensive, starting at about $15 to $50 per carat. Prices can be as high as $500 per carat or go as low as $5 per carat.
High-quality watermelon tourmalines with clear color separation are rare and expensive. Stones with a good crystal structure in the 4-7 carats range, for example, can easily sell for $500 to $750 per carat.
Cutting it into slices, like a loaf of bread, often enhances its resemblance to a real watermelon and can increase the prices as well since cutting tourmalines require a high level of expertise due to their complex structure. Identifying areas of tension within the stone is crucial to prevent cracking during the cutting process.
Ultimately, to determine the value, it must be graded. Grading evaluates factors like color, clarity, cut, and carat weight, among other things. It also depends on the jewelry, as rings, necklaces and bracelets can all affect the price. There are so many factors, so it’s hard to give a definite price or even a great range for that matter.
Why is watermelon tourmaline so expensive?
Watermelon Tourmaline is expensive for a few reasons.
One of the main reason is its scarcity. As noted, the mines for this mineral have become depleted over the years, making it much harder to source. As with any resource, when the supply decreases and demand remains steady or increases, the price goes up. This will continue unless new deposits are found,
High-quality pieces, especially those with vivid and clearly separated colors, are very rare, which can increase the price. However, as you can see in the price ranges above, you can purchase pieces for an affordable cost.
Watermelon tourmaline benefits
- calms the mind and emotions
- may help with your emotional wounds
- replaces negative feelings with self-confidence, comfort, and a sense of safety
- powerful stone for the heart chakra
- helps deal with negative feelings
- could help with personal growth and transformation
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