Tourmaline – Rainbow Gemstone | Origins, Colours & Value | GemMine
What Is Tourmaline?
Tourmaline is one of the most colour-diverse gemstones on Earth, occurring in virtually every colour of the rainbow — often displaying multiple colours within a single crystal. It is a complex boron silicate mineral with a hardness of 7–7.5 on the Mohs scale. Its extraordinary colour range, combined with remarkable clarity and brilliance, has made tourmaline one of the most popular and collectable gemstones in the world. Some varieties command prices that rival or exceed ruby, sapphire, and emerald.
Types of Tourmaline by Colour
- Rubellite – Vivid red to hot pink tourmaline from Brazil and Nigeria. The finest rubellite rivals ruby in intensity and is increasingly sought after by collectors.
- Indicolite – Blue to blue-green tourmaline, ranging from pale sky blue to deep inky blue. Brazilian and Nigerian indicolite of fine colour is genuinely rare.
- Verdelite (Green Tourmaline) – Medium to dark green stones from Brazil, Nigeria, and Afghanistan.
- Watermelon Tourmaline – A crystal showing pink in the centre and green on the outside in cross-section, unique and highly prized for jewellery and collectors.
- Bi-colour & Tri-colour – Crystals showing two or more distinct colour zones, a hallmark of tourmaline's geological uniqueness.
- Schorl (Black Tourmaline) – Opaque black variety; used in metaphysical markets and increasingly in high-fashion jewellery.
- Chrome Tourmaline – Vivid intense green coloured by chromium (the same element that colours emeralds), from Tanzania. Extremely rare and valuable.
- Canary Tourmaline (Yellow) – Vivid yellow tourmaline from Malawi, rare and increasingly collectable.
- Cuprian Tourmaline / Paraiba – See the dedicated Paraiba Tourmaline page.
Where Does Tourmaline Come From?
- Brazil (Minas Gerais, Bahía) – The world's most important source for rubellite, indicolite, and bi-colour tourmaline.
- Nigeria & Mozambique – Major African sources producing fine rubellite, indicolite, and multi-colour material.
- Afghanistan – Produces vivid pink, red and watermelon tourmaline from the Laghman and Nuristan provinces.
- Tanzania & Kenya – Source of rare chrome tourmaline and other vivid colour varieties.
- Sri Lanka & Madagascar – Additional sources of varied colour tourmaline.
Ethical Sourcing
GemMine prioritises tourmaline from mines operating under fair trade principles. Brazilian and African tourmalines often come through certified dealers with community benefit programmes. Afghanistan tourmaline supports artisanal mining communities in remote mountainous regions.
Tourmaline Value & Price Guide (GBP)
| Type | Quality | Price per Carat (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Green/Verdelite | Good | £15–£120 |
| Pink Tourmaline | Fine | £50–£300 |
| Rubellite | Fine | £150–£1,200 |
| Indicolite | Fine | £200–£1,500 |
| Chrome Tourmaline | Fine | £400–£2,000 |
| Watermelon Tourmaline | Fine | £100–£600 |
Why Choose Tourmaline?
Tourmaline offers the widest colour palette of any gemstone species, from collector-grade Paraiba to vivid rubellite and rare chrome green. It is a gemstone for those who want something truly unique — no two tourmalines are ever the same. GemMine stocks a carefully curated range of tourmaline varieties from the world's finest origins.