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Is this normal for a Tourmaline? Do you see a face in it too?

JRVAULTS

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 16, 2024
Messages
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Is it normal to see rainbow like inclusions in Tourmaline? Also, does anyone else see the face?Screenshot_20240816-123704.png
 
Welcome to PriceScope!

The rainbow colours could be thin-film interference colours, like those you see in soap bubbles or oil slicks. They can be caused by very thin flattish fractures or inclusions. Are they iridescent, i.e. do they change with the viewing angle? That would suggest interference. Looking with a loupe might be informative. Also, a sharper picture would be helpful.

To be clear, I haven't seen or heard of interference colours in tourmaline, but it seems at least plausible.
 
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Definitely normal to see a face in tourmaline. I actually see several in yours. And one of them is talking to me. Which is also perfectly normal. Perfectly normal.

OTOH, a face in chrysoberyl, for example, would be just nuts.
 
Welcome to PriceScope!

The rainbow colours could be thin-film interference colours, like those you see in soap bubbles or oil slicks. They can be caused by very thin flattish fractures or inclusions. Are they iridescent, i.e. do they change with the viewing angle? That would suggest interference. Looking with a loupe might be informative. Also, a sharper picture would be helpful.

To be clear, I haven't seen or heard of interference colours in tourmaline, but it seems at least plausible.

Yes it looks iridescent and yes the angle changes how they refract. Rainbow colors only show when looking from one side. I am posting mainly because I haven't found any tourmaline showing the rainbow unless under 10x magnification. Do you think it would be worth the gamble on certificate of origin?
 
Definitely normal to see a face in tourmaline. I actually see several in yours. And one of them is talking to me. Which is also perfectly normal. Perfectly normal.

OTOH, a face in chrysoberyl, for example, would be just nuts.

Lol I don't look for nor have I ever noticed a face in any gemstone. This one is so clear I figured it worth mentioning. If a potato chip that looks like Elvis or a fish stick in the shape of Jesus can be valuable then I suppose a gemstone with a face in it could be too? Anytime I post I am looking for any further helpful info. Also I guess I hope someday someone says...omg that is so rare you hit the jackpot! That gem is so rare and valuable! Lol
 

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Yes it looks iridescent and yes the angle changes how they refract. Rainbow colors only show when looking from one side. I am posting mainly because I haven't found any tourmaline showing the rainbow unless under 10x magnification. Do you think it would be worth the gamble on certificate of origin?

Sorry, I can't add much. What you have said supports the idea that the colours are caused by interference in thin flat fractures or inclusions. That's all I know.

We are not allowed to link to other forums, but searching on "iridescent inclusion in a tourmaline", "chrome tourmaline cabochon with iridescence", or "confetti tourmaline??!!" may find threads in a well-known forum about gemology. Alas, there are no pictures and only frustratingly vague descriptions. But it seems that tourmaline with spangles exists but is rare. Whatever, the spangles make your stone interesting. Whether they make it more valuable, I wouldn't like to guess.
 
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Sorry, I can't add much. What you have said supports the idea that the colours are caused by interference in thin flat fractures or inclusions. That's all I know.

We are not allowed to link to other forums, but searching on "iridescent inclusion in a tourmaline", "chrome tourmaline cabochon with iridescence", or "confetti tourmaline??!!" may find threads in a well-known forum about gemology. Alas, there are no pictures and only frustratingly vague descriptions. But it seems that tourmaline with spangles exists but is rare. Whatever, the spangles make your stone interesting. Whether they make it more valuable, I wouldn't like to guess.

Ouch ok...I'll add a few more pics of other Tourmalines. I wish I could get lucky and find a Paraiba.
 

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