Buying guide

Tourmaline

Tourmaline offers the widest colour range of any gem species. Indicolite (blue-teal) and rubellite (true red-pink) carry the strongest premiums. Look for even colour without a dark axis when viewed through the table.

Tourmaline at a glance

Mineral family: Tourmaline
Chemical formula: Na(Mg,Fe,Li,Al)3Al6(BO3)3Si6O18(OH)4
Mohs hardness: 7 - 7.5
Refractive index: 1.624 - 1.644
Specific gravity: 3.06
Crystal system: Trigonal
Colours: green, pink, teal, blue, red, black, multicolour
Birthstone month: October
Anniversary: 8th
Typical treatment: Heat treatment and irradiation are common in pink and red material to improve colour. Usually stable.
In stock now: 15 stones from $77.50

What drives the price

In one line: Colour rarity (indicolite and rubellite highest), clarity, size.

Treatment

Heat treatment and irradiation are common in pink and red material to improve colour. Usually stable.

Any seller unwilling to state treatment in writing is telling you something. Every listing on this site states it.

Durability and daily wear

Warm soapy water only. Avoid ultrasonic cleaning, tourmaline is often included and can fracture. Avoid sudden temperature change.

Mohs 7 - 7.5, trigonal crystal system, specific gravity 3.06.

Tradition and meaning

Green and pink tourmaline are heart chakra stones of compassion and emotional repair. Black tourmaline is the classic protection and grounding stone.

Birthstone for October. Associated with Libra and Scorpio. Anniversary stone: 8th.

Frequently asked

What is indicolite tourmaline?

Indicolite is the varietal name for blue to blue-green tourmaline. It is significantly rarer than green or pink tourmaline and commands a premium, especially in vivid teal tones without grey masking.

What is rubellite?

Rubellite is intense pink to red tourmaline that holds its colour under both daylight and incandescent light. Stones that shift toward brown or purple in artificial light are correctly sold as pink tourmaline rather than rubellite.

Why is black tourmaline so popular?

Black tourmaline, or schorl, is the most widely used protective and grounding crystal in modern practice. It is also the most abundant tourmaline variety, which keeps specimen prices accessible.