Research: Study of color mechanisms in natural and treated gemstone tourmalines, with definition of a scientific protocol
My PhD project is focused on understanding and delving into the mechanisms and causes of the origin of natural color and color obtained through laboratory treatments in tourmalines. Two of the most valuable and expensive varieties of tourmaline (paraíba and rubellite) will be thermally treated, irradiated with electrons, and subjected to chemical-physical, spectroscopic and structural characterization. The objectives of this project include the development of a crystal-chemical model for interpreting color changes, the distinction between natural and treated, and the formulation of a scientifically shareable treatment protocol.