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Exquisite Antique Genuine Natural Russian One Carat Regal, Bright Forest Green "Chrome" Tourmaline Faceted Baguette.

CLASSIFICATION: Baguette Cut Faceted Green Chrome Tourmaline.

ORIGIN: Ural Mountains of Russia, 19th Century.

SIZE: Length: 6mm. Width: 5mm. Depth: 3mm. All measurements approximate.

WEIGHT: 0.97 carats.

NOTES: Upon request we can set your gemstone as a ring, pendant, or into earrings.

DETAIL: An exquisitely colored antique faceted chrome tourmaline baguette from the Ural Mountains of Russia. Though the country best known for green tourmaline is Tanzania (and to some extent, Brazil), the Ural Mountains of Russia have been producing green chrome tourmaline for centuries. In fact, many of the Russian crown jewels are tourmaline. In the Victorian Age tourmaline was enormously popular not only in Russia, but throughout 18th and 19th century Europe. This particular gemstone was hand cut and faceted by a 19th century Russian artisan for use in Russian jewelry. Land of the fabled jewelry of the Czars, Russia was renown for its production of elaborate (and costly) jewelry throughout Victorian Europe. Chrome tourmaline is rather uncommon, probably the rarest of the ordinary varieties of tourmaline. There is substantially more demand than supply, so thus oftentimes can be quite costly. It is called "Chrome" Tourmaline because it is traces of chromium which gives the gemstone its striking green color.

This is an absolutely gorgeous, natural, richly toned, almost velvety, bright forest green chrome tourmaline. It is uncommon to find such an exceptionally clean specimen such as this one! Though favored by European Renaissance and Victorian Royalty, tourmaline tends to be characterized by the presence of small colorless inclusions. Yet this specimen is completely eye clean. The trained eye will easily discern from the photo that the gemstone has been hand-faceted. The coarseness of the 19th century faceting is considered appealing to most gemstone collectors, and is not considered a detriment. Unlike today's computer controlled machine processes, the cut and finish of gemstones such as this is the legacy of an artisan who lived two centuries ago. Such antique hand-faceted gemstones possess much greater character and appeal than today's mass-produced machine-faceted gemstones.

This gemstone possesses superb luster and sparkle, and to the eye is completely transparent, but it is not absolutely flawless. True, the blemishes it possesses are not visible to the naked eye, and the gemstone can be characterized at a minimum, to use trade jargon, as "eye clean". To the eye it is indeed flawless; however magnified 500%, as it is here, you might be able to pick out one or two slight imperfections (included material) within the gemstone, barely perceptible even at such high magnification, and as well occasional irregularities in the faceting and finish. But these characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, you must also consider that two centuries ago the mining techniques even theoretically possible, let alone commonly practiced, did not allow the ultra deep mining operations which are so commonplace today.

Two centuries ago mankind was more or less limited to surface deposits or near surface deposits of gemstones. Higher quality gemstones which today are routinely mined from beneath hundreds of meters, even kilometers beneath the earth's surface, were simply inaccessible then. So antique gemstones must be appreciated as antiques first, gemstones second. The relatively superlative quality of contemporary gemstones routinely mined from deep beneath the earth's surface today were simply not accessible two centuries ago, or at least, only rarely so. However for most, the unique nature and character of antique gemstones such as this more than makes up for included imperfections which by and large, are (if at all) only visible under high magnification.

HISTORY: Tourmaline's name comes from the Celanese (i.e., Ceylon or Sri Lanka) word "turmali," which means "mixed". Bright rainbow collections of gemstone varieties were called "turmali" parcels. Tourmaline has been used as gem material for more than 2000 years. Since tourmaline occurred in many of the ancient mines that yielded other precious stones, tourmaline was most likely known by the ancient Romans, but called other names such as emerald or topaz. In these as well as other ancient cultures, it was believed that tourmaline acted to cleanse, maintain, and stimulate the energy centers of the body. It was believed to attract inspiration, to diminish fear, and encourage self confidence. It was held in such high regard that Empress Tz'u Hsi, the last Empress of China, who loved pink tourmaline, bought almost a ton of it from the Himalaya Mine in California, and was eventually laid to rest (eternally) on a carved tourmaline pillow.

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. They were considered the rarest variety of tourmaline until in 1989 very small quantities of even rarer Paraiba neon blue-green was discovered in Brazil, which sells for as much as $20,000 per carat. The most popular color is peach (or pink) tourmaline, and one of the most famous mines in the world, played out and closed in 1913, was in California.

SHIPPING OPTIONS: All purchases are backed by an unlimited guarantee of satisfaction and authenticity. If for any reason you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it for a complete and immediate refund of your entire purchase price. Most of these antique gemstones were originally part of two collections, one originating in India principally composed of gemstones originally mined in India, Burma, Ceylon, and Siam, and then hand faceted in India. The addition of a second accumulation of antique gemstones originally mined in the Urals in the mid to late 19th century (including alexandrite) completed the collection. These gemstones as well were hand finished. The Urals have been one of the world's major sources of precious and semi-precious gemstones for many centuries. As well, additional specimens are occasionally acquired from other institutions and dealers in Eastern Europe and Asia. These antique gemstones are now in the United States and are available for immediate delivery.

We ship inventory from the USA order fulfillment center near Seattle, Washington. Your purchase will ordinarily be shipping within 48 hours of payment. A certificate of authenticity is available upon request. We prefer your personal check or money order over any other form of payment - and we will ship immediately upon receipt of your check (no "holds"). We will accept PayPal payments. Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE".