How many kinds of tourmaline are there?

Only 4 species of tourmaline are of real importance to gemologists. The most common species of tourmaline is schorl, the sodium iron (divalent) endmember of the group.

What are the different kinds of tourmaline?

The major tourmaline species are elbaite, liddicoatite, dravite, uvite, and schorl. Most gem tourmalines are elbaites, which are rich in sodium, lithium, aluminum, and sometimes—but very rarely—copper.

What is the rarest color of tourmaline?

The rarest and most expensive tourmaline is the paraiba variety -- a neon-like blue or green that is colored by traces of copper. It was first discovered in the Brazilian state of Paraiba in 1989.

What is the rarest type of tourmaline?

The rarest Tourmaline is called Paraiba. Along with being the rarest, it is also the most expensive. We only come across great Paraiba one every few years. The easiest way to see if a Tourmaline is Paraiba is by the neon-like blue and green with traces of copper.

How many different colors does tourmaline come in?

They can be green, blue, or yellow, pink to red, colorless or color-zoned. Even slight changes in the composition can cause completely different colors. - Pink tourmaline is colored by the trace element manganese. Yellowish-brown tourmalines are called dravites, and black ones are referred to as schorl.

Tourmaline Gemstone - Types | Value | Identification

Is purple tourmaline real?

Most colors are fairly common, but pure blue, red, orange, yellow, and purple stones are rare. Such stones usually command higher prices. Color-change tourmalines are also exceptionally rare. Neon-blue paraíba tourmalines, raspberry-red rubellites, and emerald-green chrome tourmalines are especially prized.

What is the most common color of tourmaline?

The most common tourmaline color is black, but the mineral occurs in all colors of the spectrum.

How can you tell if tourmaline is real?

The simplest way to check black tourmaline is to scratch the side of the crystal with a steel knife. Tourmaline is an extremely hard stone and therefore should not scratch, but if the knife becomes blunt or scratched the stone is likely real.

Is watermelon tourmaline real?

Genuine Watermelon Tourmaline is one of the most rare and collectible gems, and despite looking as if it can't possibly be a real gem, it is 100% natural.

Is tourmaline more expensive than emerald?

Emerald is, carat-for-carat, much more expensive than tourmaline when both are of the same grade. What is this? And the truth is that lower grade tourmaline is most often sold as specimens to collectors, while even opaque emerald is usually cut to increase its value.

How much is a tourmaline worth?

Most expensive are the Paraíba tourmalines, which may reach tens of thousands of dollars per carat. Chrome tourmalines, rubellites and fine indicolites and bi-colors may sell for as much as $1000/ct. or more. Other varieties are available for prices between $50–750/ct., depending on the richness of the color.

Is tourmaline precious or semiprecious?

A tourmaline is a semi-precious gemstone that comes in more colors and color combination than any other gemstone, staying true to its name, which comes from the Sinhalese word “turmali,” meaning “mixed.” Due to the wide range of colors, tourmalines are often mistaken for many other gemstones.

Where is tourmaline most commonly found?

Localities. Gem and specimen tourmaline is mined chiefly in Brazil and many parts of Africa, including Tanzania, Nigeria, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi, and Namibia.

Why is Paraiba tourmaline so expensive?

The rarity of Paraiba Tourmalines - Paraiba Tourmalines are rare because they have, thus far, only been found in copper rich areas such as Brazil, Nigeria and Mozambique. Paraiba tourmalines from Brazil are among the rarest gems in the world.

How do you identify Paraiba tourmaline?

When identifying a paraiba tourmaline stone, you'll want to look for green hues within the faceted gemstone; these green flashes, often found within a lighter, blue body, are evidence of the gemstone's copper content.

Is tourmaline the real gemstone?

Tourmaline is a fairly durable gemstone with a hardness of 7.0-7.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Tourmaline gemstones can be cut into many shapes and sizes, often as faceted gems, cabochons, polished crystal slices or mineral specimens.

What is blue tourmaline?

Indicolite, also known as Blue Tourmaline, is a very rare complex magnesium iron boro-aluminium silicate hydroxide mineral. This Tourmaline variety gets its color from tiny iron impurities and has only a few known localities throughout the world. Brazil, Nigeria, and Afghanistan have the most important active deposits.

What does watermelon tourmaline look like?

What does watermelon tourmaline look like? As the name suggests, watermelon tourmaline displays banded colours that resemble a ripe slice of watermelon. The red or pink centre is surrounded by a rim of green, often separated by a sliver of pale pink or white.

What does green tourmaline mean?

Green Tourmaline is a stone that warms the heart and helps one rejuvenate vital life force energy. It's vibrations help one tap into their emotional body to understand the emotions they feel. So often is our brain full of different stressors that it can lead one to blame how they feel on unrelated variables.

Is black tourmaline the same as obsidian?

Black Tourmaline transmutes negative energies and doesn't need to be cleaned, unlike black obsidian. Tourmaline acts as an enhancer so it's grounding energy, although powerful, isn't so heavy energy-wise. Obsidian is another powerful dark stone.

Is green tourmaline rare?

They are rare and much sought-after. Green tourmalines are very popular as precious stones among women, but many men like wearing them too.

Does tourmaline scratch easily?

Tourmaline sits moderately high on its level of durability. On the hardness scale, Tourmaline ranges from 7.0 – 7.5 on the Mohs scale, making it scratch resistant to matters that fall at a lower number than 7.

What is the best cut for tourmaline?

This variety is known as verdalite, and while the dominant color is green, there may be tints of blue or yellow. If you are looking for green tourmaline, mint green color is often considered the best. In terms of cut, brilliant or checkerboard cuts are best for this type of tourmaline, due to its brilliance.

What does tourmaline symbolize?

It is worn to promote sympathy towards others. It is an excellent stone for healers and counselors because it promotes better listening and understanding. It carries the virtue of unconditional love and friendship. In fact, pink tourmaline radiates the highest amount of love of all the different colored tourmalines.

Does all tourmaline change color?

There are Tourmalines from red to green and from blue to yellow. They often have two or more colors in each crystal. Some Tourmalines change their color when the light changes from daylight to artificial light, and others show the light effect of a Cat's Eye. No two Tourmalines are exactly alike.