Name Origin: This name is given by the fact that the name of the color is sometimes used after the term tourmaline instead of using the gemological variety. So, in this case, they can be bicolor or even tricolor, due to differences in chemical composition across the crystals.

Main Colors: Presents a combination of different colors. Green and red, green and pink, pink and blue, pink and yellow, pink and colorless.

Producing Countries: Tourmaline deposits are found in pegmatites and alluvial deposits. The most important supplier is Brazil (Minas Gerais). There are deposits in Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Afghanistan among others. Recently, Congo produced beautiful Bicolors of various hues. There is also a small production in San Diego, CA-USA.

Common Shapes: They are almost always cut in a rectangular or octogonal shape, in order to show the division of colors more clearly.

Usual Treatment: These are usually stones that are not treated. In some cases, irradiation may occur, changing pale colors to a stronger pink or red; in this case, the green is not changed. As Bicolors usually have cracks in the color interface, heat treatment is not recommended.