Achroite Tourmaline

Achroite-Tourmaline-Img — **(Collector Gems)** – Achroite is the elbaite type of the tourmaline family. It is rarely used in jewelry. Collectors are always on the hunt for the crystals.

Achroite tourmaline is a very rare crystal. It is a transparent gem that has a trace of other colors color green or pink. It is a type of Elbaite and is a member of the tourmaline group. The word Elbaite comes from a location in Italy, i.e., Elba. It is the place where the first Elbaite was discovered as early as 1913. Achroite crystals do not show the strong dichroism like that of most other varieties in the family. Hence, you can cut it with the table facet parallel or perpendicular to the length of the crystal.

Some achroite tourmaline specimen occur as colorless crystals. One may get light-pink tourmaline by heating the one with no color. Others exist as transparent on the sides and green in the center. Although achroite is ample in nature, it is the least rarely used type of tourmaline in jewelry. On the other hand, collectors will not miss any chance to seize its crystals and keep them in their vaults.

In addition to the gem with no color, achroite is also found as fibrous structures. As with other crystals, some stones may have a tiny colored spot inside. Because of the high refractive index (RI), the clear crystals can be cut into catchy gems that will show brilliance from the internal facets and luster on the surface. Since the stone is monochromatic, you can cut it in any way you want. For gem cutters, that is gold because it can help them get as much weight as they can as they have to trim a less amount of the crystal structure on any or all sides.

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What is Achroite Used for?

Achroite is ideal for those who value modesty. Once you wear it, it is handy to learn the true meaning of life and enhance the way you imagine the world around you. The stone can also help you connect with heavenly spirits. Achroite is mostly free from flaws. It is ideal to cut as gems since it shows top beauty when cut in the round shape. That offers a the high luster. But it has low demand since it is rarely used in jewelry. Some buyers like to place the cut stone in their collections. So, they will pay a premium to buy it.

What does Achroite mean?

Achroite comes from the Greek word achroos. It means ‘without color.’

Occurrence

Achroite tourmaline occurs with other colored stones of the same family in the granites or pegmatites of Madagascar and Pala (USA). The crystals form with a process that is known as metasomatism. You can also get them from sediments near the granites. Other sources are gneisses and schists. It is not uncommon to find the crystals along with other forms of the family in many other places on earth. Afghanistan and UK are some more countries that mine the stone.