0.96 Ct. Tourmaline from Afghanistan

There is a particular kind of beauty that speaks of centuries and civilizations, a beauty that feels both ancient and utterly modern at once, and this blue tourmaline embodies that feeling with effortless grace. Sourced from Afghanistan, a land with a long history of prized gems and artisanal lapidary tradition, this transparent oval tourmaline carries with it the whisper of old trade routes and mountain mines, a lineage that appeals to those who cherish legacy and provenance. At 0.96 carat, with dimensions of 7.08 x 6.09 x 3.49 mm, the gem presents as a perfectly wearable size for a ring or pendant, a size that has been favored in classical jewelry for generations. The mixed brilliant cut allows table and crown facets to flirt with light in a way that recalls both antique sparkle and contemporary fire, while the medium intense blue color offers a calm, dignified presence rather than a showy display. When you choose a gem from The Natural Gemstone Company you are choosing a piece of the earth that has been selected and presented with respect for its origin, its character, and its potential to become a beloved heirloom.

Examining the stone more closely reveals why this tourmaline is such a special candidate for a classic design that will age beautifully. The clarity grade is very very slightly included, evaluated at eye level, which means the stone reads clean and nearly flawless to the eye, yet retains the natural internal character that gem connoisseurs and lapidaries prize. The excellent polish enhances the gem surface, permitting crisp facet reflections and a silky overall finish that sits beautifully against the skin. The color intensity is medium and steady, a blue that moves with the light between sea glass and teal without sudden or distracting shifts. This stable palette makes the stone extraordinarily versatile in design, pairing perfectly with warm metals and cool metals alike, and allowing for both minimal solitaire settings and more intricate period inspired surrounds. Importantly, the stone is untreated, no enhancement, a quality that underscores its natural story and provides a rare opportunity to set an authentic, unaltered tourmaline into a bespoke creation with integrity.

In designing around this gem, one can imagine a ring that speaks to history while feeling utterly personal and modern. A simple four or six prong solitaire in 18 carat yellow gold will feel like a piece handed down through family lines, yellow gold warming the blue and giving the stone a slightly vintage hue that reads as timeless. For an appearance that leans into the coolness of the blue, a platinum or 18 carat white gold bezel or cathedral setting will create a crisp, museum quality look, reminiscent of classic engagement styles from the late 19th century. For those attracted to the romance of old world jewelry, consider an Edwardian inspired halo of fine old mine or rose cut diamonds set in platinum, the smaller stones creating a soft, luminous frame that elevates the center stone without overpowering it. A pendant set in a delicate bail with a hidden gallery will allow the gem to rest against the heart, an intimate placement that recalls lockets and tokens exchanged in bygone eras. Each design choice will affect how the gem is read by the eye and the era it evokes, and the neutral yet expressive nature of this Afghan tourmaline makes it possible to craft something that will be treasured across generations.

Pairings with complementary gemstones offer further opportunities to connect with tradition while creating a piece with depth and character. A halo of near colorless melee diamonds will add scintillation and classical contrast, their white fire anchoring the blue tone in a way that has been admired for centuries. For a warmer, more antique take, small cognac or champagne diamonds arranged in a pavé or bead set halo will introduce golden nuances that echo period jewelry palettes. For a more colorful yet still harmonious composition, soft pink sapphires or peach sapphires can be used as shoulder stones, their blush tones creating a gentle, romantic interplay with the tourmaline, a combination that was favored in vintage romantic jewelry. If the goal is to emphasize the gemological family of tourmaline, small green chrome tourmalines or mint green paraiba like tourmalines can be placed as accent stones for a tonal gradient that reads like a natural landscape in miniature. Pearls remain a perennial companion for blue stones in classical settings, strung as drops from a pendant or as side stones in a ring setting to create an effect reminiscent of Victorian revival pieces. Each of these options can be scaled to your vision, whether you prefer the restraint of tiny melee stones set closely for a subtle shimmer, or the statement of larger accent gems that create a colorful dialogue with the center stone.

At The Natural Gemstone Company we understand that a gemstone is a beginning rather than an end, a starting point for a story that you will continue to write. This 0.96 carat oval blue tourmaline, with its mixed brilliant cut, measurements of 7.08 x 6.09 x 3.49 mm, medium intense color, very very slightly included clarity at eye level, and excellent polish, no enhancement, deserves a setting that honors both its geological origin and its aesthetic presence. Whether you choose a solitary classic ring for daily wear, an heirloom inspired pendant that rests close to the heart, or an elaborate period influenced design with complementary sapphires and diamonds, the result will be a piece that feels as though it has existed long before it was made and will continue to be valuable long after it is worn. We invite you to consult with our design specialists to explore metal choices, setting styles, and companion stones, so that together we can create a custom piece that resonates with your personal sense of history and beauty. Your tourmaline awaits, ready to be transformed into a timeless treasure by The Natural Gemstone Company.