Cinderella as we all know was a beautiful, but under valued person that was discovered by the prince and love blossomed. They lived happily ever after of course.
Well I just read in the latest introduction to a series of pages from a major rough dealer out of Africa that the world has finally really discovered tourmaline and prices have gone threw the celling. There are also problems with production, but the real news is that tourmaline and all its glorious colors has made it to the big time.
I have mixed feelings about the discovery. I have spent a significant amount of time and effort trying to present the beauty of tourmaline to a public that many times did not even know its name and still doesn’t, but the price increases have made it very difficult to cut significant stones for the collection.
Ten years ago, I was buying rough that in some cases produced museum quality gemstone at prices that were manageable. Now I will be working with mostly included material to search for the colors of tourmaline. Still the quest must continue. Besides included rough is a challenge to work with and do a good job. And with vivid color or a new twist it is exciting.
Bruce May, 1, 2014
