Gemstone Spotlight: Tourmaline

Are you interested in learning more about tourmaline? Tourmaline is a gorgeous, yet lesser-known gem in the jewelry world. Here is a brief overview of this gemstone.

What is Tourmaline?

Tourmalines have one of the widest color ranges of any gemstone. Different color varieties of tourmaline often have their own trade names. For example, Rubellite is the name for tourmaline that is red (or a variation of red). 

One of the most interesting types of tourmaline is watermelon tourmaline, which is pink on the inside and green on the outside. This color combination creates a stunning and unique effect. 

The History of Tourmaline

It’s difficult to determine the history of tourmaline because it has long been confused with other gemstones. For example, in the 16th century, a Spanish conquistador discovered a beautiful green gemstone he believed was an emerald, but it was, in fact, a tourmaline!

Tourmaline became known as an American gem during the late 1800s with significant deposits being discovered in Maine and California. However, during this time, China was by far the largest market for tourmaline. Today, tourmaline is found in several places in the world, including Brazil, Madagascar, and Afghanistan. 

Quality Factors

Like other gemstones, tourmaline’s value is determined by its rarity and its demand. For tourmaline, color is extremely significant. Pink and red tourmaline is some of the most sought-after variations.  But the rarest and most valuable is Paraíba tourmaline, a variation of tourmaline that originates in Brazil and ranges from greenish blue to green, blue, and violet. 

How to Take Care of Tourmaline Jewelry

Tourmaline is a stable gemstone, which means that it is generally not damaged by chemicals. However, take care not to expose your tourmaline jewelry to heat, which can alter its color and cause fracturing. 

You can clean your tourmaline jewelry with warm water and soap. It is generally not recommended to clean tourmalines with ultrasonic or steam cleaning machines. 

(If you are unsure about cleaning your jewelry yourself, stop by Koser Jewelers for a complimentary cleaning anytime!)

Interesting Facts About Tourmaline

• Tourmaline is an alternate birthstone for October, as well as the gemstone of the 8th anniversary
• Tourmaline ranks as a 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale
• Tourmaline is both pyroelectric and piezoelectric (it becomes electrically charged when heated or squeezed)!