Once considered too opaque to be used as a gemstone, tourmalinated quartz, long considered an ornamental stone, has been used decoratively for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.

However, it's only within the past several years that this striking stone has become known to jewelry designers and the public. With its vivid black iron-rich, needle-like schorl inclusions and opaque/white contrast, tourmalinated quartz adds yet one more unique look to the jewelry designer's palette.

Its stark, bold yin/yang character makes a strong and elegantly simple statement -- one increasingly appreciated by the public.