Siberite Tourmaline Faceting Information
Extra Siberite Tourmaline Faceting tips! Helpful information such as details, reviews, tricks, successful tips and suggestions on Siberite Tourmaline stones
Siberite Tourmaline Faceting Information
Siberite Tourmaline
Color: Blue/purple
Moh's Hardness: 7-7.5
Refractive Index: 1.616-1.652
Critical Angle: 38.23°
Specific Gravity: 3.02-3.26
Cleavage: None
Fracture: Uneven, small conchoidal.
Dispersion: .017
Heat Sensitivity: Sometimes
Dichroic: Strong (many color variations)
Birefringence (double refraction): Medium (.014-.024)
Crystal structure: Hexagonal
Treatments: Generally there is no treatments with this kind of rough.
What I prefer to polishing with: Alumina oxide with a tin lap (scored).
Jeff's Comments: Cuts and polishes like any other Tourmaline, usually no problems. This material is quite rare and is seldom flawless.
Design Notes: About any Tourmaline design will work well, although I generally prefer a shallow checkerboard on darker rough.
Design Links: Signature #4 - This is good for about any rough
Easy Emerald - This is a classic and works well on poor "c" axis colored stones
Smith Bar - This is a classic and works well on poor "c" axis colored stones
Related Articles
Tourmaline Gem, Price, and Jewelry Information
Gemstone Examination Lesson
Difficult Gemstone Separations
What is Gemstone Pleochroism?
Latest Articles
Milarite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Appraising Pearls: How to Grade Pearls
Agate Buying Guide
Carving Techniques for Handling Inclusions in Transparent Gems
Never Stop Learning
When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.
