Indigolite – the blue tourmaline
Indigolite is also known as blue tourmaline. Depending on the iron and titanium content, you can buy indigolite in colors ranging from violet-blue to greenish blue. Its color spectrum includes both light and dark, almost black shades.
The tourmaline group includes stones in a variety of colors. The color spectrum of tourmaline is therefore often compared to that of a rainbow. The most well-known stones, in addition to the blue indigolite, are: rubellite (red), watermelon tourmaline (red and green), verdelite (green) and paraiba (bright blue). These precious stones belong to the tourmaline subgroup of elbaite. This subgroup owes its name to the first place it was found, the Italian island of Elba.
The most valuable are Paraíbas, followed by rubellite, indigolite, verdelite and watermelon tourmaline.
Risk of confusion: indigolite and other blue gemstones
To the naked eye, indigolite can be mistaken for other blue gemstones, such as paraiba or aquamarine. Greenish-blue indigolites can be mistaken for verdelite. Only a direct comparison will show that the predominant color of indigolite is blue.
It may also be mistaken for blue sapphire.
Indigolite: origin
This blue gemstone was found in Russia, the Czech Republic, Italy, Austria, Germany, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria, Namibia, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, Japan, Brazil and the United States, among other places.
Use: unique jewelry with indigolite
You can buy cut indigolite in the IGNEOUS gemstone shop. A goldsmith or jeweler can use it to create a unique piece of jewelry. Indigolite is suitable for rings, bracelets, earrings or necklaces and can be used either as a single stone or in combination with diamonds or other colored gemstones.
The setting is usually white gold or silver, but especially light stones also look good in yellow gold.
According to the American Gem Society, tourmaline is the birthstone of October. If you are looking for a blue gemstone for a jewelry gift for someone born in October, you should consider tourmaline.
Properties: hardness & treatment
Indicolite achieves a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. The ten-level scale developed by Friedrich Mohs rates minerals according to their hardness. Talc, rated by Mohs as the softest mineral with a hardness of 1, and diamond, the hardest mineral, achieve level 10. Indicolite is therefore a hard mineral that is very suitable for use in jewelry.
Other minerals are often treated to improve their color. However, indigolite is usually not treated.
Most common cuts
Pure indigolite with good color quality is usually faceted. Facet cuts such as pear cut, oval cut, marquise cut, baguette cut, emerald cut, octagon cut, cushion or trillant cut are most commonly used.
If the blue tourmaline has inclusions or is relatively cloudy, it is cut into smooth cabochons.
