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The tourmaline family is a group of minerals with multiple varieties, each dominated by a proper name or by the term "tourmaline" associated with its characteristic color.
Green tourmaline, often referred to as verdélite, derives its name from its color variations.
However, there are other less common variants, such as chromiferous, which are rarer and therefore more sought after.
Verdélite, with its shades ranging from yellow-green to bottle green, to dark green or olive, offers a color palette that can rival that of emerald. This striking resemblance has led to many confusions and has sparked considerable interest in this semi-precious stone. When a Spanish conquistador first discovered a green tourmaline in Brazil, he mistook it for an emerald, triggering a rush for this stone. Although the exact number of green tourmalines mistaken for emeralds and brought to Europe cannot be estimated, many jewels have recently been identified as being green tourmaline.
A famous example is the "Emerald and Diamond Necklace of the Duchess of Windsor," which was auctioned at Sotheby’s in 1987. This necklace, worn by the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson, is composed of 27 Colombian emeralds and diamonds. However, upon closer analysis, it was discovered that the emeralds were actually green tourmaline.
Another notable example is the "Emerald and Diamond Tiara" from the collection of the Swedish royal family. This tiara, worn by Queen Silvia of Sweden, is adorned with what was assumed to be emeralds. However, upon closer analysis, it was revealed that the stones were actually green tourmaline.
Mines: Brazil, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the USA, Sri Lanka, Russia, Angola, Australia, Burma, India, Italia and Tanzania.
Green tourmaline, also known as verdélite, is renowned for its healing and protective properties.
⚠ Please note that all healing properties presented for gemstones are gathered from various sources. This information is provided as a service and is not intended to treat medical conditions. It is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for serious medical issues and not to rely solely on gemstones as a treatment.