Tourmaline
Quick answer
Tourmaline occurs in more colours than any other gemstone, from pink rubellite to blue indicolite to the electric blue-green Paraiba variety. It rates 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, which is durable enough for engagement rings and everyday jewellery with reasonable care.
What tourmaline is
Tourmaline is a group of boron silicate minerals with a complex chemistry that allows for an extraordinary colour range. The name comes from the Sinhalese "tura mali", meaning "stone of mixed colours". Different trace elements drive different colours: iron creates green and blue, manganese produces red and pink, copper creates the famous neon glow of Paraiba.
Colour and look
Every colour. Rubellite is rich pink to red. Indicolite is dark blue. Paraiba shows neon blue, turquoise or green. Chrome tourmaline is vivid emerald green. Watermelon tourmaline is bi-coloured with a pink centre and green rind. Black tourmaline (schorl) is opaque and used more in spiritual jewellery than fine pieces.
Hardness and durability
Tourmaline is 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale with good toughness, though some material has internal strain that can make it brittle along certain directions. Suitable for engagement rings and everyday wear. Avoid sharp knocks on facet edges. Paraiba is durable enough for daily wear but is too valuable for most buyers to wear hard.
What to look for
Colour saturation drives value across the range. For rubellite, saturation and clean red without brown undertones. For indicolite, depth of blue. For Paraiba, the neon glow itself, which copper provides and other tourmalines cannot. Clarity should be eye-clean for the better varieties. Cut matters because tourmaline is strongly pleochroic.
Treatments and origins
Heat treatment is common to improve colour, especially for blue and green stones. Irradiation is sometimes used for pink and red. Brazil is the most prolific source. Paraiba comes from Brazil, Mozambique and Nigeria. Rubellite from Brazil, Nigeria and Mozambique. Chrome tourmaline from East Africa.
Best uses
Engagement rings in rubellite, indicolite or chrome tourmaline. Paraiba makes an extraordinary statement ring or pendant when budget allows. Watermelon tourmaline slices are popular in pendants and earrings. Tourmaline cocktail rings show off the colour range and large stones stay sensibly priced outside the Paraiba tier.
Care
Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Ultrasonic cleaning is generally safe for stones without significant inclusions. Avoid sudden temperature changes and hard knocks. Store separately.
Price
Most tourmaline sits at sensible prices, even in larger sizes. Rubellite, indicolite and chrome tourmaline are accessible for engagement rings. Paraiba is in its own category, with fine copper-bearing stones reaching tens of thousands of dollars per carat. Watermelon slices stay affordable.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is Paraiba tourmaline?
- A copper-bearing tourmaline first found in the Brazilian state of Paraiba in 1989. The copper produces a neon blue to blue-green glow no other gemstone matches. Mozambique and Nigeria also produce copper-bearing tourmaline.
- Is tourmaline hard enough for an engagement ring?
- Yes. At 7 to 7.5 Mohs hardness, tourmaline is durable enough for everyday rings, though sapphire and ruby still wear better. Choose a protective setting for fancy shapes with corners.
- Are tourmalines treated?
- Heat treatment is common, especially for blue, green and Paraiba colours, to improve saturation. Treatments are usually stable. Reputable sellers disclose treatments.
- What is a watermelon tourmaline?
- A tourmaline crystal with a pink core and a green outer layer. Sliced across the crystal, it looks like a slice of watermelon. Used in pendants, earrings and one-off rings.
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