Product Description
9.8 Carats Natural Afghan Tourmaline Lot — Faceted Multi-Color Loose Gemstones
This lot contains individually faceted natural tourmaline stones sourced from Afghanistan. The total weight is 9.8 carats, with individual stones spanning a size range from under 1 carat up to 4–6 carats. All stones are untreated and genuine, with no heat or chemical enhancement applied.
What's in This Lot
The photo shows emerald-cut tourmalines arranged by color gradient. Colors present in the lot include light green, green, pinkish-purple, pink, brown, and red tones. The cuts are predominantly rectangular step cuts (emerald-style), consistent in faceting style across the collection. Stone sizes vary from smaller calibrated pieces to larger elongated stones.
- Total Weight: 9.8 Carats
- Individual Weight Range: Under 1 ct to 4–6 ct per stone
- Dimensions: 9×8×7.5 mm to 17×9×6.8 mm
- Cut / Shape: Emerald Cut (Rectangular Step Cut)
- Colors: Light Green, Green, Pink, Pinkish-Purple, Brown, Red
- Clarity: SI to VS
- Origin: Afghanistan
- Treatment: No Treatment — unheated, untreated
- Stone Type: Tourmaline (Semi-Precious)
- Variety: Loose Stones
- Deal Type: Small Lot / Start-Up Deal
- Authenticity: Genuine Natural Gemstones
- Product Use: Jewelry / Ornamental
- Birthstone: October
- SKU: TOUR-107
About This Lot's Color Range
Tourmaline is one of the few gemstone species that naturally occurs in a broad spectrum of colors within the same deposit. This lot reflects that range — from cooler greens and blue-greens through warm pinks, purples, and brownish-reds. The emerald cut is commonly applied to tourmaline because the rectangular facet arrangement shows body color well and reduces windowing in elongated rough material.
About Afghan Tourmaline
Afghanistan's Kunar, Nuristan, and Laghman provinces are known producers of tourmaline in a range of colors. Material from these regions is sourced through artisanal mining and traded in loose form across international gem markets. These stones carry no treatment, meaning their color and clarity are entirely as-mined.
Who This Lot Is For
This lot is suitable for jewelry designers who need a variety of tourmaline colors for multiple pieces, collectors building a diverse Afghan tourmaline inventory, and wholesale buyers looking for a mixed start-up quantity. The size range gives flexibility for different setting types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is SI clarity in gemstones, and is it acceptable for jewelry use?
SI (Slightly Included) means inclusions are visible under 10× magnification and may be visible to the naked eye in some stones. SI-clarity tourmalines are widely used in commercial jewelry, particularly when the color is strong and inclusions are not centrally located.
Q: Why does tourmaline come in so many different colors?
Tourmaline's color range is caused by trace elements — iron produces blue and green tones, manganese creates pinks and reds, and combinations produce purple or brown hues. A single deposit can yield multiple color varieties depending on the mineral chemistry at different points in the crystal growth.
Q: What is an emerald cut, and how does it differ from other faceting styles?
An emerald cut features a rectangular outline with step-cut facets arranged in parallel rows, rather than the triangular facets used in brilliant cuts. It emphasizes color depth and transparency over brilliance, making it a common choice for deeply colored gemstones like tourmaline.