Learn About Tourmaline
Self-love is the best kind of love and tourmaline is considered to be the best gem to help you in this journey.
Tourmaline
- Silicate
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Friendship, Compassion
- October Birthstone
Round
Oval
Pear
Round
Oval
PearOverview
Tourmaline, the beautiful semi-precious stone, is renowned for its extensive and exciting color spectrum. The chemical composition of this gem includes a group of closely related mineral species that share the same crystal structure. However, the presence of a complex mixture of other elements, such as calcium, manganese and iron, is primarily responsible for a tourmaline’s color.
1. Key Origin
- Since tourmaline is a pegmatite mineral, it is extracted from pegmatite districts across the world, with Brazil still being the most significant source.
- San Diego County, including the famous Pala pegmatite district and Maine are also distributors of fine tourmalines.
2. Associations
- In ancient India, tourmalines were used in various ceremonies to awaken insight and to help a person differentiate between good and bad.
- It is also believed to inspire creativity and was therefore used extensively as a talisman by artists and writers.
Properties
Rated 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness
01Hardness & Strength
The tourmaline has a rating of 7 to 7.5 on Mohs scale of mineral hardness, which makes it fairly tough and a good option for jewelry, including rings for everyday wear. Tourmalines are also often used for other types of gemstone jewelry, such as earrings, necklaces and pendants.
02Treatment
In most cases, tourmaline gems available in the market are completely untreated. However, sometimes, they do undergo heat or irradiation to improve the color and clarity. This is especially true in the cases of red and pink tourmalines.
Typically, irradiation is used to intensify or develop the color. But the reaction of a tourmaline to this treatment depends on the original color and source of the stone. In general, yellow stones turn into an orange or peach color, while medium blue or green stones transform into a deep purple.
Know About Other Gems
Tourmaline
"Self-love is the best kind of love and tourmaline is considered to be the best gem to help you in this journey.”
- Silicate
- All colors
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
- Libra Scorpio
- Friendship, Compassion
- October
- Round
Oval
Pear
Know About Other Gems
Garnet
Don't garnets remind you of pomegranate seeds? Well, turns out their name actually comes from a Latin word that means pomegranate!
- Silicate
- Primarily red
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Capricorn Aquarius
- Love, Friendship, Passion
- January
Amethyst
Amethyst is love in a gem! St. Valentine too is believed to have worn an amethyst ring with Cupid’s image.
- Quartz
- Purple, Pale lilac, Deep reddish purple
- 7 Mohs
-
Aquarius Pisces
- Wisdom, Peace, Good fortune
- February
Opal
Ancient legends suggest opals fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning. That probably explains why this gem is so magical!
- Hydrated Silica
- All colors
- 5 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Hope, Purity, Truth
- October
Aquamarine
From its hue to its name, everything about aquamarine swirls around water. No wonder the mermaids called it their own!
- Beryl
- Pale blue, Greenish blue, Pastel blue
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Aries Pisces
- Serenity, Clarity, Harmony
- March
Ruby
Did you know ruby and sapphire are cousins? They come from the same mineral family, which is corundum!
- Corundum
- Red
- 9 Mohs
-
Cancer Leo
- Love, Power, Passion
- July
Rhodolite
Rhodolite gets its name from the Greek word ‘rhodon’ which means ‘rose.’ Such an apt name for this pretty stone!
- Garnet group of minerals
- Rose pink - deep purple
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
- Positivity
Tanzanite
Though a new discovery, tanzanites could quickly become extinct! It's because they're mined in only one place on Earth.
- Zoisite
- Violet purple, Bluish violet
- 6 to 7 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Abundance, New beginnings
- December
Onyx
Many cultures believed onyx could absorb negativity. In fact, the more negativity it absorbed, the darker it became!
- Silicate
- Primarily black
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
- Courage, Power, Good fortune
Sapphire
The most obsessed-over sapphire in the world is the 12-carat stunner on Princess Diana’s legendary engagement ring.
- Corundum
- Every color but red
- 9 Mohs
-
Libra Virgo
- Truth, Sincerity, Loyalty
- September
Emerald
Cleopatra was crazy about emeralds! She even took over a few Greek mines, hoping to keep all the jewels for herself.
- Beryl
- Green, Bluish green, Deep green
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Taurus Gemini
- Good fortune, Balance, Growth
- May
Tsavorite
Tsavorites may look like emeralds, but in reality, they are roughly 200 times rarer than emeralds.
- Garnet group of minerals
- Green
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
- Strength, Vitality, Positivity
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz isn't just a pretty gem. It's believed to attract love and bring in peace and tenderness to your life.
- Quartz
- Shades of pink
- 7 Mohs
- Love, Harmony
Peridot
Unlike most gemstones that come in different colors, peridot is found only in olive green. It's a special gem, for sure!
- Olivine
- Yellowish green, Deep dark olive, Yellow-green
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
-
Leo Virgo
- Prosperity, Good fortune
- August
Turquoise
Would you believe us if we told you that the gorgeous turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones in the world?
- Turquoise
- Blue, Greenish blue
- 5 to 6 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Positivity, Happiness
- December
Citrine
In the middle ages, citrine was also called the ‘merchant's stone’ as it was believed to bring success and prosperity.
- Quartz
- Yellow-orange, Pale yellow
- 7 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Positivity, Optimism
- November
Swiss Blue Topaz
Wear a topaz and it could make you invisible in times of emergency. Farfetched? Well, that's what the Ancient Greeks believed!
- Silicate
- Yellow, Orange, Brown
- 8 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Love, Loyalty
- November
Morganite
Morganites were named after J.P. Morgan, who wasn't just a genius in all things finance, but a gem enthusiast too.
- Beryl
- Pale pink, Peach
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
- Romance, Love, Harmony
Moonstone
Moonstone was declared the state gem of Florida in 1970 to honor NASA’s lunar landing and the Kennedy Space Center.
- Feldspar
- Colorless, White
- 6 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Gemini Cancer
- Good fortune, Luck
- June
The 4C’s
The below-mentioned factors help determine a tourmaline's true value:
- Color
- Carat
- Clarity
- Cuts
01Color
- This fascinating gemstone occurs in a vast range of colors, from pink to black.
- While some commonly occurring tourmalines (like schorl) are fairly inexpensive, the rarer colors demand an exorbitant price.
02Carat
- This gem can be found in the form of fairly large transparent crystals that are used for producing exquisite tourmaline stones.
- Unlike sapphire and ruby, the price of a tourmaline doesn't increase dramatically per-carat.
- However, in the case of a fashioned tourmaline that showcases good color and clarity, the price per carat does go up as the gem passes the five-carat milestone.
03Clarity
- Most colored tourmalines are formed in an environment that is abundant in liquids, hence during the crystal growth period, those liquids often get trapped inside as inclusions.
- Red and pink tourmalines generally have eye-visible inclusions, but those are often overlooked if the color is intense and attractive.
- However, tourmalines with prominent whitish inclusions, irrespective of the stone’s vibrancy, are considered undesirable by both dealers and consumers.
04Cuts
- A common characteristic seen in colored tourmalines is pleochroism, which means the color of the gem changes when viewed at different angles.
- Due to this property, it becomes crucial to cut the stone in a way that showcases the best color at most times.
- For this reason, light colored tourmalines are often carved into round, trillion and oval, while dark-hued tourmalines are emerald-shaped or elongated.
Quality & Grading
Even though there is no standard quality grading parameter for tourmalines, the pink variety of this gemstone can be classified into the following categories based on the above-mentioned properties:
| Gem Quality | Color | Clarity | Brilliance | Rareness | Shop Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heirloom (AAAA) | Rich Pink | Very Slightly Included to Eye Clean | Very High | Top 1% |
Shell Style Oval Pink Tourmaline and Diamond Pendant$219 |
| Best (AAA) | Medium Pink | Slightly Included | High | Top 10% |
Prong-Set Pink Tourmaline Teardrop V-Bale Pendant with Diamond$799 |
| Better (AA) | Light to Medium Pink | Moderately Included | Medium | Top 33% |
Classic Round Pink Tourmaline Solitaire Pendant$299 |
| Good (A) | Baby Pink | Heavily Included | Low | Top 75% |
Pink Tourmaline Teardrop Pendant with Diamond Halo$1209 |
Latest Pick from Tourmaline Jewelry
Rings
Earrings
Bracelets
Necklaces
GIA Certified Prong-Set Solitaire Oval Tourmaline Ring with Reverse Tapered Shank
$1789
Prong-Set GIA Certified Oval Tourmaline Bypass Ring
$3329
GIA Certified Princess Diana Inspired Oval Tourmaline Reverse Tapered Shank Ring with Halo
$3489
GIA Certified Solitaire Oval Tourmaline Split Shank Ring
$2799
Claw-Set GIA Certified Oval Tourmaline Ring with Diamonds
$3519
Care Instructions
Tourmaline, when used in jewelry, looks elegant and striking. With proper care it can sparkle brilliantly for years to come. Here are a few tips that will help ensure the same.
FAQs
1. What makes tourmaline unique?
Tourmaline is prized for its wide range of colors, making it one of the most versatile gemstones. From vibrant pinks and greens to rare Paraíba blues, each shade has its own charm and appeal.
2. Which colors of tourmaline are rarer than others?
Paraíba tourmaline, known for its vibrant neon blue to green hues, is considered the rarest and most valuable. Other rare varieties include pink-to-red rubellite and chrome tourmaline, which showcases an intense green color. While tourmaline comes in a wide spectrum of colors, these particular shades are especially prized for their rarity and brilliance.
3. Which month is associated with tourmaline as a birthstone?
Tourmaline is the official birthstone for October. Known for its wide range of colors, it’s a perfect gem to celebrate the month, offering a vibrant and unique alternative to other gemstones.
4. Are there any symbolic meanings associated with tourmaline?
Yes, tourmaline is rich in symbolic meanings! It is often associated with protection, balance and emotional healing. Different colors of tourmaline carry unique symbolism—for example, pink tourmaline represents love and compassion, green tourmaline is linked to growth and vitality and black tourmaline is known for its grounding and protective qualities. This versatile gemstone is cherished not only for its beauty but also for its meaningful energy.
5. Is tourmaline durable for everyday wear?
Yes, tourmaline is a durable gemstone with a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, making it suitable for everyday wear when handled with care. However, it’s best to avoid harsh impacts to maintain its brilliance.
6. Are tourmalines natural or treated?
Tourmalines are natural gemstones, but many undergo heat treatments to enhance their color. This treatment is stable and widely accepted in the gem industry.
7. Are tourmalines graded differently than diamonds?
Yes, tourmalines are graded differently than diamonds. While diamonds follow the standardized 4Cs system (color, clarity, cut and carat weight), tourmalines are evaluated more subjectively based on their color intensity, clarity, cut quality and overall appearance. There is no universal grading standard for tourmalines like there is for diamonds.
