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Tourmaline occurs in more colors and combinations of colors than any other gemstone variety. Green or "chrome" tourmaline was "rediscovered" in the seventeenth century. This striking green gemstone is colored by the mineral chromium; hence the name "chrome" tourmaline. Brazilian miners exported green tourmalines to Europe, calling them "Brazilian emeralds". The color so dazzled seventeenth century Europe that they were known as "Brazilian Emeralds". Within a few decades tourmaline was also rediscovered in the country of Tanzania on the African continent. In the eighteenth century, it was discovered that these "Brazilian emeralds" had unusual electromagnetic qualities, and were not emeralds at all. Many stones in the Russian Crown jewels from the 17th Century once thought to be rubies and emeralds are actually tourmalines. Chrome tourmalines are relatively uncommon gemstones, costly, and in scarce supply.
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Tourmaline:
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