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Watermelon Tourmaline
A variety of Tourmaline
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About Watermelon Tourmaline
Colour:
Green rims on red/pink cores
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Hardness:
7 - 7½
Name:
Watermelon tourmaline is a variety of concentrically color-zoned tourmaline with red interiors and green exteriors and is distinct from longitudinal bi-color or polychrome zonation. The name was coined by George Robeley Howe [1860-1950] of Norway, Maine, USA. The name was first used in a Lewiston, Maine newspaper account in 1910 when describing specimens from the Havey Quarry in Poland, Maine, USA. The name was used in an international publication, Mineral Resources of the United States, by Douglas B. Sterrett in 1911.
A variety of tourmaline (primarily elbaite, fluor-elbaite, and/or liddicoatite) with colour zoning showing a pink core and green rim, like a watermelon.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Watermelon Tourmaline.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Watermelon Tourmaline.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
10889 (as Watermelon Tourmaline)
4003 (as Tourmaline)
4003 (as Tourmaline)
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:10889:4 (as Watermelon Tourmaline)
mindat:1:1:4003:3 (as Tourmaline)
mindat:1:1:4003:3 (as Tourmaline)
Pronunciation of Watermelon Tourmaline
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Rolyon Jalph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Watermelon Tourmaline
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Green rims on red/pink cores
Hardness:
7 - 7½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal, Sub-Conchoidal
Other Language Names for Watermelon Tourmaline
German:Wassermelonenturmalin
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 15 photos of Watermelon Tourmaline associated with Lepidolite | |
| 9 photos of Watermelon Tourmaline associated with Elbaite | Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
| 9 photos of Watermelon Tourmaline associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 7 photos of Watermelon Tourmaline associated with 'Cleavelandite' | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 3 photos of Watermelon Tourmaline associated with 'Rubellite' | |
| 2 photos of Watermelon Tourmaline associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 2 photos of Watermelon Tourmaline associated with Tourmaline | AD3G6(T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z |
| 1 photo of Watermelon Tourmaline associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 1 photo of Watermelon Tourmaline associated with 'Smoky Quartz' | SiO2 |
Fluorescence of Watermelon Tourmaline
The red/pink cores may fluoresce chalky blue or creamy white in SW UV depending on the activator. Sometimes specimens show both colors in patchy or zonal arrangement.
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Watermelon Tourmaline
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-10889.html
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References for Watermelon Tourmaline
Reference List:
Localities for Watermelon Tourmaline
Showing 32 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Afghanistan | |
| Skublov et al. (2024) |
Argentina | |
Brazil | |
| Sauer (1982) |
| Rock Currier |
| Bastos (2002) | |
| Sauer (1982) | |
| Hudson et al. (n.d.) |
Madagascar | |
| Martin Gruell photo & specimen |
Mexico | |
| Mason (1976) |
Namibia | |
| Lavinsky (n.d.) |
South Africa | |
| Ballouard et al. (2020) |
USA | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Kunz (1905) |
| Fisher (2002) |
| Kunz +1 other reference |
| San Diego Mining Company (1998) |
| Rogers |
| Pearl (1958) |
|
Minas Gerais, Brazil