ADDITIONAL COLORED STONES – PLAY OF COLORS
The most valuable members of the colored gemstones family are Spinels, Tsavorites and Tourmalines.
The origin of the name Spinel is uncertain. It exists in nearly every color. Because of the minor occurrence of big sizes Rubies, the red Spinel has become a treasured alternative for jewelers and goldsmiths. The most important locations for Spinels are Burma, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Afghanistan.
The green variety of the Garnet group is called Tsavorite. This name is taken from the Tsavo-Nationalpark in Kenia, in whose vicinity the most important mines are located. Lighter and mint green beauties are found in Tansania.
A limited number of deposits in a narrowly bounded region are the reason that Tsavorite is still regarded as slightly exotic gemstone.
The Singhalese word for Tourmaline is „turmali“ or „thuramali“ which stands for „Gemstone in mixed colors“ and Sri Lanka was the first country from where Tourmalines were imported to Europe.
Most deserved are deep red and different shades of green and blue as well as the Paraiba colores. Popular are also mint green, indigo and lagoon Tourmalines from Afghanistan. They have an excellent luster and brilliance.