Explore the science and story of one of the most colourful and fascinating gemstones with this carefully curated collection of classic gemological articles. Featuring historical material from the early 1900s and before, these writings have been selected for their relevance and interest to today's readers and bring together original texts on tourmaline's physical properties, geological origins and crystal structure.
Tourmaline itself is a borosilicate mineral known for its wide spectrum of colours and complex crystal habits, often forming prismatic crystals with distinctive striations that reflect its trigonal crystal system--features that make it both scientifically interesting and visually captivating.
Contents include:
- Gem Stones and Their Distinctive Characters by G. F. Herbert Smith
- Gems and Gem Materials by Edward Henry Kraus
- Gems and Jewellery Today by Marcus Baerwald
- Gemstones by C. F. Herbert
- Scottish Gem Stones by W. J. McCallien
- The Story of the Gems by Herbert P. Whitlock
This engaging volume delivers a comprehensive, historically grounded overview of tourmaline, making it perfect for gem enthusiasts, collectors, students and anyone curious about how this strikingly varied gem has been understood and described over time.