Pink tourmaline

[ydiamonds]

I have this little pretty coming from Peter Torraca and I''m very excited. This is my first loose colored gemstone purchase, after seeing everyone''s beautiful stones and projects. I intend to use it for a pendant. What does everyone think of this stone? Peter wasn''t sure if it''s heat treated though.

Thank you very much in advance.

 

[ydiamonds]

Hand shot from Peter.

 

[babysteps]

I think it''s a beautiful shade of pink! Congrats on your first gemstone (more to follow, I bet - they are so enticing!)

 

[chrono]

Depending on the measurement of the stone and setting, it could be set in a pendant. It looks to have a pleasant pastel pink colour.

 

[mochi]

It''s lovely! Congrats on your purchase!!

 

[ma re]

Beautiful!

 

[mariedtiger]

I was drooling over that one. Congratulations for a pretty stone!

 

[Catmom]

Congratulations, it''s very pretty!

 

[Linda W]

It is a beautiful stone. That is my favorite shade of pink too. Congratulations on your purchase.

 

[ydiamonds]

Thanks everyone. Do you think the dark spots on the magnified picture are ok? What about the possible heating? I don''t know much about heated vs unheated tourmalines.

 

[D&T]

That is such a lovely shape... and Beautiful color

 

[chrono]

The dark areas are little bits of extinction. Some are needed to allow the stone to show "life" or scintillation. Having a lot of extinction isn't good but a little is fine. Tourmalines are generally untreated but lately, there have been some pinks (and only the pinks) being heated to get the colour.

 

[T L]

They''re actually nuked first to make them colorless, then heated to make them pink.

 

[Stone Hunter]

I know what you mean about drooling over everyone''s projects. Your new stone looks very beautiful though. Please take lots of photos when you get it.

 

[cushioncutnut]

I was eyeing that stone the other day! It is breathtaking! I love the cut of it!!!!!

 

[icekid]

Date: 5/3/2009 10:42:55 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
They''re actually nuked first to make them colorless, then heated to make them pink.

Interesting! Didn''t know that, T_L.

Looks pretty, regardless. Very nice, ydiamonds.

 

[ydiamonds]

Thanks everybody. I have to limit myself to only 1 pink stone so I''ve been waiting for a few months for the right one to come along. I wasn''t even considering a rectangular radiant until I saw this one! I just love radiant cuts.

Thanks Chrono and TL. You are always so knowledgeable and informative. I feel better knowing you guys approve of the stone.

 

[redfaerythinker]

Oooh that''s such a pretty stone! And such a sweet shade of pink! You''re really gonna love it i''m sure!

 

[ydiamonds]

Update: if anyone was thinking of getting this stone, I sent it back today. I''m just not crazy about the step cutting on the crown for some reason. I was very excited to get it, and it''s a beautiful color.

 

[Stone Hunter]

Oh that''s too bad! I hope you find another one you really like.

 

[chrono]

That''s the way it goes sometimes; you just never know until you have the stone in hand. I hope you''ll find something you love soon.