Difference Between Ceramic & Tourmaline

Lower quality tourmaline can be made into beads; higher quality tourmaline is transparent and can be faceted.

Tourmaline and ceramics are very different materials. Tourmaline is a crystalline stone that occurs naturally. Ceramics can use natural materials, but are shaped and fired in a kiln at very high heat.

Features

Tourmaline is a crystalline gemstone that can be a variety of individual colors or multi colored. Tourmaline can range from red to blue and from blue to yellow. Ceramics are non-metallic, non-crystalline structures commonly made of clay or clay-like materials. Ceramics, however, can also include glass, enamels, and glass-ceramics.

Function

Tourmaline is used as a faceted stone, meaning it can be cut into geometrical shapes for jewelry. Ceramics are used in many ways. Clay and china are often used as eating plates and drinking vessels. Industrial ceramics, often designed to dissipate heat, are often used in aircraft, spacecraft, and in industrial uses. The heat absorbing tiles on the bottom of the space shuttle are ceramic.

Size

Tourmaline is limited in size by natural conditions. Although smaller stones are more common, some stones can be as large as 400 carats, or 2.8 ounces. Ceramics, on the other hand, can be manufactured in much larger sizes. Sizes of ceramics are, however, limited by a number of factors, including the thickness of the material and the size of the kiln used to fire and cure the ceramic material.

References

• American Ceramic Society: Learn About Ceramics
• International Colored Gemstone Association: Tourmaline
• United States Geological Survey: Tourmaline