Red Tourmaline Cat's Eye

 

Specifications:
Name of Gemstones: Tourmaline Cat's Eye
Color: Red
Weight: 4ct
Origin: Brazil
Clarity: Good

Attachments: Silver Ring with zircons
Treatment: None (Natural)

Cats eye tourmaline contains tiny, parallel inclusions, causing it to display a strong catseye effect when polished. As with other loose Cats-eye stones, Cats eye tourmaline is usually cut in the cabochon shape.  Fine Cats eye tourmaline gems are found in a variety of colors and are generally semi-translucent to opaque. Look for a strong white eye running the length of the Cats eye tourmaline gemstone. Prices of cats eye tourmalines will depend on color, translucency, size and the sharpness of the cats eye effect.
Attributes

Origin	Afghanistan, Brazil, East Africa, Nigeria, Mozambique, Madagascar, U.S.A.
Color	Pink, Paraiba, Red, Blue, Orange, Green, Yellow, Black, Bi color, Tri color, and Fancy colors. Tourmaline can be colorless to just about any color, hue, or tone known to man. Loose tourmaline gemstones come in almost any color.
Refractive Index	1.624(+.005, -.005) - 1.644(+.006, -.006)
Chemical Composition	(NaCa)(LI,MgFe,Al)9B3Si6(O,OH)31
Hardness	7 - 7.5
Density	3.06 (.05, +.15)
Crystal Structure	Trigonal

Mythology
The name tourmaline comes from a Sinhalese word, "tura mali", meaning "mixed colored stones" and was originally applied to an assortment of colored stones consisting mainly of zircons.
The Empress Dowager Tz'u Hsi, the last Empress of China, loved pink tourmaline and bought large quantities for gemstones and carvings from the then new Himalaya Mine, located in San Diego County, California.  The Himalaya Mine is still producing tourmaline today but the Dowager went to rest eternally on a carved tourmaline pillow.
The ability of tourmaline to look like other gemstones led to some confusions.  Many gemstones in the Russian Crown jewels from the 17th Century once thought to be rubies are in fact tourmalines.  In South America, where the majority of such gem-quality material is found, green tourmaline is still referred to as the "Brazilian emerald".  The quantity of such green stones which were mined in the early days of the Portuguese colonization and sent to Portugal as emerald will probably never be known.
The folk-lore of tourmaline tells us that both the introduction of this beautiful and multiphase mineral to the knowledge and appreciation of mankind, and its discovery in America, were due to children. Soon after the year 1700, some children in Holland were playing in a court-yard on a summer day with a few bright-colored stones indifferently given to them by some lapidaries, who evidently had not classified, or invested them with any particular value or significance. The children's keenness of observation revealed that when their bright playthings became heated by the sun's rays, they attracted and held ashes and straws. The children appealed to their parents for enlightenment as to the cause of this mysterious property; but they were unable to explain or to identify the stones, giving them, however, the name of aschentreckers or ash-drawers, which for a long time clung to these tourmalines.
Elbaite is named for the Island of Elba, Italy, where many fine specimens were found, including the famous "Moor's Head Tourmaline".
Tourmaline gemstones are credited with the power to enhance one's understanding, increase self-confidence and amplify one's psychic energies, and aid in concentration and communication.  Conversely, they are said to neutralize negative energies, and dispel fear and grief. 

Tourmalines were believed to be useful in relaxing the body and the mind, and to help in the treatment of many different diseases such as anxiety, blood poisoning, arthritis, and heart disease. 
Pink Tourmaline is said to inspire love, spirituality and creativity, and to give wisdom and enhance one's willpower.
Watermelon Tourmaline is said to be very effective in helping one to recover from emotional problems.
Tourmaline is the birthstone for October and corresponds to the astrological sign of the Libra.




Source of the Tourmaline 

Top 10 Reasons To Buy Tourmalines

Tourmaline has a very broad spectrum of colors including red, pink, yellow, green and blue. The ancient Egyptians believed that this gem obtained its varied hues because it passed over a rainbow on its long journey from the earth’s center to its surface. The term tourmaline comes from the Singhalese words 'tura mali', which means stone with many colors. Many tourmalines actually have two colors, one visible in daylight and the other visible only in incandescent light. Major deposits of tourmaline are found in Brazil, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

1. Whatever color stone is your favorite you are almost certain to find a tourmaline with that shade from black to blue and green to red. The most expensive tourmalines are pink rubellite, green verdelite and blue indicolite. A rather stunning variety is cat’s eye tourmaline which displays a similar effect tot hat seen in tiger’s eye cabochons. Black tourmalines, also known as schorl, are the most commonly found type.
2. Tourmalines are as stunning as rubies and sapphires but less expensive.
3. Tourmalines have an interesting characteristic that has fascinated scientists for some time; when heated then allowed to cool, this gemstone develops and electrical charge.
4. Tourmaline has long been the topic of myth and legend.
5. Crystal healing experts say that tourmaline is able to strengthen the mind and the spirit and is particularly beneficial for the nervous system, blood circulation and lymph glands.
6. Tourmaline is considered beneficial for artists and writers as it is said to inspire creativity.
7. Tourmaline is also known as “the peace stone,” because it is believed to dispel violence and promote peace. Pink tourmaline is associated with the heart chakra, watermelon tourmaline with the brow chakra and green tourmaline with the throat chakra.
8. Rubellite tourmaline is one variety of the stunning tourmaline family. It has its own range of color from vibrant red to shocking pink and is a dazzling gemstone. Rubellite tourmaline is faceted and used in rings, necklaces and bracelets.
9. Tourmaline is the official stone for the fifth wedding anniversary.
10. This stone is the official birthstone for the month of October.