Indicolite

Hardness: 7.50

Refractive Index: 1.62-1.64

Specific Gravity: 3.06

 

Birthstone:

Astral Stone:

Anniversary Stone:

 

Origination: Brazil, Afghanistan, Madagascar & the United States.

 

Care & Cleaning: Clean with a soft polishing cloth, plain water rinse mild solution of soap & water or commercial jewelry cleaner.

 

Fiction, Facts & Folklore:

 

Indicolite is a member of the tourmaline mineral group.

 

It may be deep blue (which is sometimes known as �indigolite�) or teal in color.

 

Indicolite is found in the world-famous Paraiba mine in Brazil, sometimes in combination with a highly-prized turquoise variety of tourmaline.

 

Indicolite is rare and one of the most costly of all tourmalines.

 

Sizes are generally limited to one carat or less, and large gems of several carats are nearly impossible to find and fetch thousands of dollars per carat at retail.

 

Indicolites of fine quality are more costly than comparable sapphires.

 

It may appear in a rare bicolor gem in colors showing blue-green and blue-red.

 

On very rare occasions, indicolite can show a cat�s-eye property. In this instance, the stone will be cut en cabochon rather than being faceted.

 

Folklore tells us that the indicolite is an aid to relaxation.

 

For additional information, see �tourmaline�.