Rubellite Faceting Information
Helpful information on how to cut and polish Rubellite Tourmaline stones. Essential guides, tips and details necessary for Rubellite Tourmaline faceting.
1 Minute Read
Color: Red/Purple/Pink
Moh's Hardness: 7-7.5
Refractive Index: 1.616-1.652
Critical Angle: 38.23°
Specific Gravity: 3.02-3.26
Cleavage: None
Fracture: Uneven, small conchoidal.
Dispersion: .017
Heat Sensitivity: Not usually a problem
Dichroic: Strong (many color variations)
Birefringence (double refraction): Medium (.014-.024)
Crystal structure: Hexagonal
Treatments
Heat is sometimes used to lighten rough and get rid of undesirable color. Radiation is used on cut stones to improve color, but it is not commonly used on rough (usually stones are cut first and then irradiate).
Rubellite Faceting Comments
Cuts and polishes like any other Tourmaline, usually no problems. Orientation is important, go for the best color. Be careful about over saturation, stones can be dark sometimes.
What I prefer to polishing with: Alumina oxide with a tin lap (scored).
About any Tourmaline design will work well, although I generally prefer a shallow checkerboard on darker rough. Pick a design with the correct depth for the rough you have. Light rough deep design, dark rough shallower design.
Rubellite Faceting: Gem Design Suggestions
Signature #4 - This is good for about any rough
Easy Emerald - This is a classic and works well on poor "c" axis colored stones
Smith Bar - This is a classic and works well on poor "c" axis colored stones
Jeff R. Graham
The late Jeff Graham was a prolific faceter, creator of many original faceting designs, and the author of several highly-regarded instructional faceting books such as Gram Faceting Designs.
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