Tourmaline is known as the ‘gemstone of the rainbow’, due to the huge of array of colors which it can be found in. As a result, no two tourmalines are exactly the same, making for a unique and popular stone that can also bring many believed therapeutic benefits.

Background and Types of Tourmaline

  Tourmalines are found all over the world, with major deposits existing in Brazil, Sri Lanka and South Africa. Tourmalines are mixed crystals of a mixed mineral group, and even a slight change in composition can vastly alter the color. There are many colors of Tourmaline, with a full spectrum available that runs from red to green and blue to yellow. Many varieties of the gem actually possess two or more colors (bio-colored tourmalines), which can change depending on the light source. The stone has a relatively high score on the Mohs scale, of between 7 and 7.5.

Different colors of tourmaline can also be found under different names in the trade. These include ‘rubellite’ for an intense red hue and ‘verdelite’ for a popular green variety. An intense blue-green hue known as ‘Paraiba tourmaline’ is the most desirable color, commanding high prices since its discovery in Brazil in 1987.

The main factors that affect gemstone valuation are the ‘Four C’s’ of color, cut, clarity and carat (size), as well as geographical origin.

Factors That Affect Value & Treatments

 Green colors, particularly those that contain trace amounts chromium, can command a high value, and the same can be said of the Paraiba blue color. Other hues such as brown and orange are much more common and carry less value. The color of the gems, particularly red and pink colored ones, can also be altered by exposing them to low levels of radiation, though this is almost impossible to detect and does not impart on the value. It is also possible to enhance the clarity of the gem, though this does have a negative effect on pricing.

Although many deposits of tourmaline have been discovered, good quality gems of fine colors are rare, meaning an extremely broad pricing structure. Blue stones, however, have been found that are both large and flawless, commanding top-level prices when sold around the world.

With an almost endless number of faces and colors, it is perhaps unsurprising that tourmaline has a number of magical powers associated to it, making it an extremely popular therapeutic stone.


 

Tourmaline Meanings and Properties

  It has long been associated with love and friendship, strengthening and lengthening the bond between two people. It is also linked to increasing levels of understanding and tolerance, helping willpower and increasing happiness. Black and blue hues are the ones most linked to medical benefits, with the gem particularly associated with the heart, lungs, larynx and thyroid. It is also said aid dyslexia and help with arthritis.

Pink tourmaline is an alternative birthstone to opal, for those born during the month of October.