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I need some pink tourmaline help

Odyssey44

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Mar 20, 2023
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434
I bought a bubble gum pink tourmaline stone I am returning. The lovely pink outside turns a muddy brown inside. I have read this is a common problem, but also that "good quality" pink tourmalines do stay a shade of pink in all lighting. Is this true? I have seen hot pink tourmalines stay pink everywhere, and rubellite of course, but a clear medium pink stone? I am starting to think it is not possible. Does anyone have a medium pink tourmaline stone that stays pink in various lighting, or at least turns to a pleasing peach and not muddy brown? I don't want to set myself up to buy and return a lot of stones looking for something that does not exist.

Here is the stone I bought outiside:20250509_170038.jpg
20250509_170049.jpg

And when I opened the package in LED light I thought I received the wrong stone!20250509_112708.jpg
20250509_111707.jpg

And incandescent light, yikes!!!
20250509_112243.jpg
20250509_112138.jpg
 
I think I'm in the minority of people that doesn't care what their stones look like under incandescents, LEDS, or fluorescents. And that's because it's all artificial light. I care how they look in natural light and the way they're tested at major labs (to mimic daylight at around 5,000-6,000k)... sort of like how our cavemen brethren would have viewed pretty rocks. lol

But I can also understand why this bugs you... I have not personally seen medium pink tourms that hold their color under warm, indoor lighting. They tend to "brown out" to varying degrees. As you mentioned, this is what separates rubellite from the pack. They hold their color regardless, but the shades will be more of a hot pink, magenta, or pinkish-red. If you really want that true medium pink that holds its color under every lighting, maybe try a spinel or sapphire?

P.S. That first pic of your stone is gorgeous!
 
Thanks Autumn! I can definitely understand warm light being a problem, but was most disappointed with the LED light situation, because I do keep those a cool white color and the stone looked quite rust colored. It is amazing how much the stone changed colors outdoors!
I do love it outside--the color is beautiful and I thought the cut was too--always happy for your confirmation! I guess if I had to pick, I'd want its best color under cool LED light since that is where I will be most of the time.
Do you have any stones you do not like the look of indoors? I wonder if I could do anything with a setting to bring out the pink?

PS Working my way up to sapphire. Still deciding whether or not to keep and set my, umm, shall we say spinel with a small window. It does stay pink everywhere. I really like the tone of bubblegum pink tourmalines--no other stone quite looks like that--and was hoping to find at least one.
 
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Thanks Autumn! I can definitely understand warm light being a problem, but was most disappointed with the LED light situation, because I do keep those a cool white color and the stone looked quite rust colored. It is amazing how much the stone changed colors outdoors!
I do love it outside--the color is beautiful and I thought the cut was too--always happy for your confirmation! I guess if I had to pick, I'd want its best color under cool LED light since that is where I will be most of the time.
Do you have any stones you do not like the look of indoors? I wonder if I could do anything with a setting to bring out the pink?

PS Working my way up to sapphire. Still deciding whether or not to keep and set my, umm, shall we say spinel with a small window. It does stay pink everywhere. I really like the tone of bubblegum pink tourmalines--no other stone quite looks like that--and was hoping to find at least one.

I know, I love them too... they do have a lovely carnation shade all their own. So yeah, LEDs aren't all equal in the color or temperature of light they throw. You just never know how a gem is going to transform under this one or that one. Unless you have a proper daylight balanced full spectrum bulb, it's difficult to predict. :|
 
I know, I love them too... they do have a lovely carnation shade all their own. So yeah, LEDs aren't all equal in the color or temperature of light they throw. You just never know how a gem is going to transform under this one or that one. Unless you have a proper daylight balanced full spectrum bulb, it's difficult to predict. :|

Have you seen any tourms that look pink in a certain temp of cool LED? Funnily enough, I do have some full spectrum LEDs because of how good they are for plant growth! Looks like my 2 hobbies may have combined! Did not see that coming! (Just realized I should specify I grow houseplants of the non-edible kind).

Still need to figure if it is worth the search...
 
Have you seen any tourms that look pink in a certain temp of cool LED? Funnily enough, I do have some full spectrum LEDs because of how good they are for plant growth! Looks like my 2 hobbies may have combined! Did not see that coming! (Just realized I should specify I grow houseplants of the non-edible kind).

Still need to figure if it is worth the search...

Give it a try! Also, I envy everyone with a green thumb!! I am the grim reaper of house plants.
crybaby.gif


It's just that "cool" lighting is so subjective, you know? It's difficult to say without knowing the light temp.
 
my Himalaya Mine Pink Tourmaline cushion-cuts from Jeff White look pink under cool LED and actually to my eyes look pink in every lighting I put them in -- I haven't seen a lighting environment where they look brown -- they're not the brighter magenta pink of your 1st pic but more the classic Double Bubble Gum pink.

Here's probably too-many too-large photos for ya!

IMG_9029.jpegIMG_9019.jpegIMG_9024.jpegIMG_9031.jpegIMG_9026.jpeg
 
Give it a try! Also, I envy everyone with a green thumb!! I am the grim reaper of house plants.
crybaby.gif


It's just that "cool" lighting is so subjective, you know? It's difficult to say without knowing the light temp.

My 3rd hobby just kept me busy for the last hour. One of my cats had a mad chase after a ghost and jumped over my end table where I had just placed my full cup of tea. And I use a very big cup. Endless splatter clean up! At least the lamp did not go over. It was close!

Will have to check my light temp. My brightest plant lights go to 5000K. But that looks like Close Encounters.
 
my Himalaya Mine Pink Tourmaline cushion-cuts from Jeff White look pink under cool LED and actually to my eyes look pink in every lighting I put them in -- I haven't seen a lighting environment where they look brown -- they're not the brighter magenta pink of your 1st pic but more the classic Double Bubble Gum pink.

Here's probably too-many too-large photos for ya!

IMG_9029.jpegIMG_9019.jpegIMG_9024.jpegIMG_9031.jpegIMG_9026.jpeg

Thanks Mary! No such thing as too many big photos. I loved seeing them. This gives me hope! I would be very happy with that shade of pink!! My first ever contact with Jeff was about a pink Tourmaline for a project but I was not sure the outer limit he quoted me would work. When I went back to inquire about just getting the stone for something else, all the rough was gone! I don't know if it was Himalaya rough though.
 
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