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Tourmaline

Tourmaline is one of the most colorful gems in the world; its name comes from the Sinhalese word turmali, meaning mixed.

Chemical Formula: H_8.62Al_22.78B_9.11Ca_.42F_1.81Fe_.09K_.01Li_3.74Mn_.84

Other names: Sodium manganese calcium lithium alumoborosilicate

Layman's explanation: Tourmaline was used to make the Crown jewels in the 17th century and is still used today to make jewelry for those who can afford the $10,000 per carat. It is found in many places outside the United States such as Brazil, Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Tourmaline found in the United States comes from either Maine or California. Maine produces orange and peach tourmaline as well as light greens. California is known for their pink tourmaline and also bicolors. All the beautiful shades of tourmaline make it perfect for jewelry settings. Tourmaline was also used to clean out pipes in the Netherlands because of its electrical charge. When heated it changes its electrical charge and becomes a polarized crystalline magnet and can attract light objects like dust or ash out of a pipe.

Keywords: magnet, pink

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