Copper bearing tourmaline

[RSargent]

I posted earlier about vivid saturation in a copper bearing tourmaline. This one came with a report that says it is cuprian. Is this color consistent with greenish blue copper bearing tourmalines out there? It is so much stronger than other colors I've seen.
Thanks!
-Robyn

 

[T L]

I posted earlier about vivid saturation in a copper bearing tourmaline. This one came with a report that says it is cuprian. Is this color consistent with greenish blue copper bearing tourmalines out there? It is so much stronger than other colors I've seen.
Thanks!
-Robyn

It's not a neon paraiba, but more of what I would call a deep blue. What kind of report did it have? Do you have a photo of it?

 

[minousbijoux]

No, its really not, as this one looks considerably darker and less glowey. Look in these threads for examples of the color you seek if you want a real cuprian in all its glory:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/mozambique-paraiba-tourmaline-in-leon-mege-french-cut-ring.151081/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/mozambique-paraiba-tourmaline-in-leon-mege-french-cut-ring.151081/[/URL]

look to the bottom of the page for TL's ring here: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/just-picked-up-my-paraiba-tourmaline.131105/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/just-picked-up-my-paraiba-tourmaline.131105/[/URL]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/paraiba-tourmaline-in-new-home.149292/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/paraiba-tourmaline-in-new-home.149292/[/URL]

That'll do for starters while I dig up more. There is one thread that is so awesome, and shows cut as well as uncut rough. You can totally see the glow (it looks nuclear) even in the uncut state.

 

[RSargent]

Thanks! Those glow but they look green to me and only a medium saturation. This stone is a deep turquoise blue. I will try to take photos in normal light tomorrow.

 

[minousbijoux]

Thanks! Those glow but they look green to me and only a medium saturation. This stone is a deep turquoise blue. I will try to take photos in normal light tomorrow.

By any chance, could you be confusing saturation with tone?

 

[RSargent]

Maybe, will have to reread my R.Wise book!

 

[chrono]

It shows a darker tone but I'm not seeing the glow. Can you please clarify the report you have on the tourmaline (issued by which lab)? I look forward to additional pictures when you get the chance.

 

[GemAgents1]

Although it is not a typical color and glow of a copper bearing tourmaline it can still be a cuprian. I have seen a few stones that are similar, in fact i might know someone who has a rough piece in a darker type of color like this and it came from paraiba ( i will check with him). but your best bet would be certificating it with an alternate lab than what you have now just to compare.

 

[T L]

Although it is not a typical color and glow of a copper bearing tourmaline it can still be a cuprian. I have seen a few stones that are similar, in fact i might know someone who has a rough piece in a darker type of color like this and it came from paraiba ( i will check with him). but your best bet would be certificating it with an alternate lab than what you have now just to compare.

True, some darker and less saturated greenish blue tourmalines can have copper in them, but they lack the neon glow, which is what this species is famous for.

 

[RSargent]

Gemagent1. You know. This is a very rare truly Windex blue cuprian. Not your typical variety but in person...inclusions and all...its beyond amazing...

 

[minousbijoux]

Robyn: I think I owe you an apology, as nowhere in your post were you saying this was a Paraiba or Paraiba-like stone. Copper bearing stones come in multiple colors and I'm sure that yours is one - I didn't mean to imply (and realize I did) that yours was not one. What I was saying is that its not the typical Paraiba color. Again, I'm sorry for hasty reading!

 

[RSargent]

Oh Minousbijoux please don't be concerned! I am thankful for all the sharing people do on this forum. You have been a valuable contributor. As an update, I had the stone examined by a gemologist and she looked at it under a microscope. She says it has inclusions consistent with a cuprian tourmaline and that this color blue does occur -- but very rarely. She says my certification is only by a GIA gemologist and does give lab info such as to how much copper the stone contains, nor can she says where it's from or whether or not it's heated. It is clearly not the lighter seafoam bluish green color most of us see more commonly online, but I have done some research and have seen stones like mine from Paraiba Brazil, Nigeria and Mozambique. There is a great article here: http://garnetmagnetism.com/uploads/Laurs_Copper-Bearing-_Para%C3%ADba-Type_-Tourmaline-from-Mozambique-1.pdf and another great photo here: http://www.fiabaneandkroh.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/BChaT0ECUAAL3Mn.jpg-large.jpeg.... Here are some more pictures. I am going to have the stone certified from a lab but I want to wear the ring a little first. Here is a photo with no flash taken near a north window just now (11:30 am) in Vermont. It's not sunny outside. Flash seems to hide the green
-Robyn

 

[RSargent]

Sorry, under one link I posted you have to search for Paraiba Tourmaline and then the Tucson 2013 recap. There is a great photo of an unheated cuprian tourmaline in Windex color from Brazil there. They even have some Windex in a jar next to it. Very funny. Here is another photo of my stone.