Mama's Weekly Rock Facts - Tourmaline

TOURMALINE -- H: 7
The word tourmaline comes from the Sinhalese word "tourmali," meaning "mixed gemstones"
Tourmaline is a pyroelectric mineral, meaning that a voltage is created across the crystal when heated

There are 3 species of tourmaline: Dravite, Schorl, and Elbaite

Tourmaline is a cyclosilicate, composed of rings of [(S_iO₄)]^4- tetrahedra.

Mineralogy: Tourmaline is not a single mineral, but a group of several closely related minerals. The most common of these minerals almost exclusively occur in granite pegmatite. Tourmaline is both Piezoelectric (electric potential difference created by pressure) and Pyroelectric (electric potential difference created by temperature).  If a specimen is put under either a pressure or temperature change, it will generate voltage. When this happens, dust particles become attached to the crystal ends.

Metaphysical:  Heart Chakra crystal, self-healing, compassionate vibration, masculine or yang energy

Black Tourmaline Pendant with bail

by Amanda Rice

March is Rockhounds' Month: Enter to Win our Raffle for Rockhound Prizes

Mama's Minerals is celebrating our 25th Anniversary, and as part of our year-long celebration we'll be having special raffle giveaways throughout the year with some great prizes.

During March, be sure to enter for your chance to win one of three rockhound prizes.

 
Go to our Raffle Entry page for your chance to win!

Also check out our sitewide savings on rockhounding items -- up to 30% off. These savings will only last until the end of March, so take advantage now.

Your two biggest holiday shopping problems solved...

You know how the annual holiday shopping dilemma goes: "How do I find something unique for that special someone? And how can I save money?" (An especially important consideration for many of us this year.)

Mama has solved that conundrum for you this year by creating a selection of special Holiday Gift Packages, each one discounted to lighten your shopping budget, and with an array of possibilities that makes it easy to make that perfect gift matchup.

Just added today: Metaphysical Holiday Gift Packages.

Love Crystals with Love Pouch and Stones

More holiday gift packages are coming soon, so be sure to check back on our site for more selections.

Voting is now open for the online beading contest

We've had some beautiful contest entries, so head on over to our online voting page, view the finalists' entries and cast your vote for your favorite fall beading creation.

Voting ends November 29th, so vote now!

Enter our online beading contest: The People's Choice Awards

We're having a beading contest! The People's Choice Awards gives you the opportunity to showcase your fall-themed beaded necklace, and enter to win some great prizes.

We're accepting online entries through October 17, so enter soon! See the contest details, rules and online entry form here. 

We'll open up online voting on October 27th, running through November 24th. Stay tuned to this space for the link to the online voting page. We'll announce the winners on December 2nd and post them on our web site. (Stay tuned here for the link.)

We're looking forward to seeing all the entries!

Giveaway Scout: subscribe to get notified of online giveaways

If you're interested in online giveaways (particularly beading-related giveaways / contests - there's a lot of them out there), you may want to check out Giveaway Scout, a site where you can subscribe to receive notification of giveaways in categories that interest you. (There is a Jewelry category.)

Check out GiveawayScout.com.

By the way, we'll soon be running our own beading contest with prize giveaways, so stay tuned -- more information coming soon. (And our contest will be listed on Giveaway Scout.)

Mama's Minerals Sponsors a Beading Package Giveaway on Beading-Arts.com

Mama's Minerals is sponsoring a beading package prize giveaway on Cyndi Lavin's blog, Beading-Arts.com. (We reviewed her blog in the previous post.)

A great place to get new ideas for your next beading project... and to try your luck at winning this week's prize. Just visit her blog and leave a comment to enter in the giveaway. The deadline for entry is July 27, so enter today.

Good luck, and happy beading!