About
Natalie Lambert
Influenced by the work of Charles Lewis Tiffany and Rene Jules
Lalique, jewelry designer Natalie Lambert was first introduced
to Watermelon Tourmaline as a young girl and was immediately intrigued
by the gem's multicolored beauty and uniqueness.
"I was amazed how something so natural from the depths of the
earth could capture the perfect balance of every color imaginable.
" remembers Natalie. "I was so fascinated with the stone
that I began building a Watermelon Tourmaline collection from
around the world. "
Today, Natalie Lambert designs jewelry that accentuates the allure
of her favorite gem. A native of Palm Beach County, Florida, Natalie
now resides in Beverly Hills, California and travels extensively
in continuous pursuit of the next exciting addition to her Watermelon
Tourmaline collection.
About
Watermelon Tourmaline
Tourmaline is one of the most diversely colored of all gems and
minerals. Tourmaline is a relatively hard (7.0 Mohs' hardness)
gemstone, consisting of borosilicates of aluminum, sodium and
magnesium. The term "Watermelon Tourmaline" is derived from the
property of having a green outer "skin" and a deep, reddish pink
"core." Perhaps this is why Tourmaline is said to encourage artistic
intuition. It has many faces and expresses every mood. Tourmaline
is a highly valued Collectors Gemstone and is mined in many parts
of the world including (Minas Gerais) Brazil, Afghanistan, East
Africa and the United States.
Did you know?
Tourmaline is the jewel of royalty. The last Empress of China,
Dowager Tz'u Hsi (1860-1908), valued tourmaline above all other
gemstones.
The word "Tourmaline" is derived from the
Sinhalese word Tura Mali, meaning stone with mixed colors.
Many gemstones in the Russian Crown jewels from the 17th Century
once thought to be rubies are in fact tourmalines.
Tourmaline shares birthstone status with Opal for the month of
October.
About
Minas Gerais, Brazil
The second most populous and fourth largest of Brazil's 26 states,
Minas Gerais is located on the western side of the Southeastern
Subdivision. Portuguese colonists created the state of Minas Gerais
("General Mines") in 1720 after discovering an abundance of gems,
gold, and other valuable natural resources in the region.
Some of the finest Watermelon Tourmaline in the world is found
in igneous rock pegmatite dikes and alluvial deposits located
in the area around Virgem da Lapa in Minas Gerais
(Brazil is said to produce 90% of the world's colored gemstones).
Rivers have washed through these deposits scattering stones throughout
this region. Some of the mines that have produced the greatest
specimens of gem crystal tourmaline are the primary deposits of
Araçuaí, Corrego do Urucum, Cruzeiro, Golconda, Jonas, Limoeiro,
Medina, Pedra Azul and Xanda.
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