Tourmaline – The Stone of Colors
Tourmaline is one of the most versatile and colorful gemstones in the world. Its exceptional color palette – from vibrant green to deep blue to brilliant pink and red – makes it one of the most sought-after stones for collectors and jewelers alike. No other gemstone offers such a diversity of colors and color combinations.
Symbolism & Meaning
Tourmaline is considered a stone of creativity, inspiration, and protection – revered as a powerful talisman in many cultures.
Creativity & Inspiration: Tourmaline is believed to foster creativity and awaken new ideas – especially valued by artists and creatives.
Protection & Grounding: Black tourmaline (Schorl) is considered one of the strongest protective stones – it is said to ward off negative energies and provide grounding.
Love & Compassion: Pink and red tourmaline (Rubellite) represent heart energy, love, and emotional healing.
Communication & Truth: Blue tourmaline (Indicolite) promotes clear communication and inner truth.
Prosperity & Growth: Green tourmaline (Verdelite) symbolizes abundance, vitality, and personal growth.
Birthstone: Tourmaline is the traditional birthstone for the month of October.
Zodiac Signs: Particularly associated with Libra and Scorpio.
Basic Characteristics
Tourmaline belongs to the group of ring silicates and is one of the most mineralogically complex gemstone families in the world.
- Mineral Class: Silicates (Ring Silicates / Cyclosilicates)
- Crystal System: Trigonal
- Hardness: 7–7.5 on the Mohs scale
- Density: 2.98–3.20 g/cm³
- Refractive Index: 1.614–1.666
- Luster: Vitreous
- Transparency: Transparent to opaque
- Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
- Pleochroism: Strong (distinct color change depending on viewing angle)
Colors:
- Rubellite (bright pink to deep red)
- Verdelite (light green to deep emerald green)
- Indicolite (light blue to deep dark blue)
- Paraiba (neon blue to neon green – very rare and valuable)
- Schorl (deep black – most common variety)
- Dravite (brown to yellowish-brown)
- Chrome Tourmaline (intense green due to chromium inclusions)
- Bi-color & Tri-color (multicolored in one stone – e.g., Watermelon Tourmaline: pink core, green rim)
- Color-Change (changes color depending on the light source – very rare)
Cut & Shape
Tourmalines are available in many classic and modern cuts and shapes:
- Cut: Oval, Round (Brilliant), Cushion, Pear, Cabochon (domed, uncut), Emerald (rectangle/step), Marquise, Heart, Trillion (triangle), Briolette, Radiant
- Special Feature: Tourmalines are often offered in elongated rectangular or bar cuts – this optimally emphasizes their natural crystal shape
- Rough Stones: Also available as natural raw crystals, specimens, and watermelon slices
Inclusions & Characteristics
Tourmalines are natural stones – inclusions are a sign of authenticity and not a flaw. The true nature of the stone only becomes apparent under a microscope.
Typical inclusions:
- Needle-like hollow channels (create the coveted cat's eye effect in cabochons)
- Fingerprint inclusions (healed fractures)
- Crystal inclusions (mineral crystals inside)
- Feather inclusions (partial fractures)
- Zoning (color bands or zones – particularly typical for tourmaline)
Quality grades: Eye-clean (no visible inclusions to the naked eye) is considered premium quality. Slight inclusions are normal in natural stones and only slightly reduce their value. Heavy inclusions can impair transparency and brilliance.
Special feature: Paraíba tourmalines exhibit a unique neon luminosity due to copper and manganese admixtures – even with inclusions, they fetch top prices.
Treatment & Authenticity
Natural tourmalines are often untreated – which makes them particularly valuable and authentic. Transparency in declaration is a matter of course for us.
Thermal Treatment (Heating): Applied to some tourmaline varieties – can lighten or intensify the color. This treatment is considered stable and accepted.
Irradiation: Occasionally used to intensify colors – should always be declared.
Resin Filling: For heavily fractured stones – significantly reduces value, not in our assortment.
Untreated (Natural): The norm for high-quality tourmalines – especially Paraíba, Rubellite, and Chrome Tourmaline. Natural color without any interventions.
Proof of Authenticity: All our tourmalines are natural stones. Upon request, we can provide certificates from renowned laboratories (GIC, GRS, Gübelin, SSEF). We do not carry synthetic or simulated stones.
Tourmalines at Phönix Gemstone
We source tourmalines directly from their countries of origin – for jewelers, goldsmiths, and collectors who value quality and transparency. Each stone is carefully inspected and documented.
Make an Inquiry
Are you looking for a specific tourmaline for your next project? Contact us – we will put together a personal selection for you.