Tourmaline is one of the few gemstones that has a good balance of color, strength, and price. It's one of the most colorful and versatile gems, and collectors and jewelry lovers love it. Knowing about the different types of tourmaline, their quality, treatments, and prices can help you find a stone that fits your style, budget, and needs, whether you want it as an October birthstone or as a unique piece for your collection. This guide covers everything from color and clarity to buying tips and pricing, so you can shop confidently.

What is a tourmaline gemstone?

Tourmaline is a complex boron silicate mineral that forms deep in the Earth’s crust. Its scientific definition is part of the reason we see a variety of colors. When a tourmaline crystal grows, it absorbs a number of different trace elements, such as copper, manganese, iron, and lithium, which all change the color in the end. The presence of these elements is at least a part of why tourmaline is one of the most color-rich gemstones in the world.

Tourmaline grows in the trigonal crystal system, a shape that is long, thin, and usually vertically striated. This elongated, thin shape will dictate how a cutter shapes the gem, and is why you see elongated emerald cuts, oval shapes, and pear stones.

With a hardness of 7–7.5, tourmaline is durable enough for everyday jewelry, especially if it is properly secured in a piece of jewelry. It has beauty, durability, and practical use, while caring for it is easier than for softer gems.

What Are The Different Tourmaline Color Varieties?

When discussing types of tourmaline, color is often the first attribute mentioned. There are many colors of tourmaline, and each one has its own name. Some of these colors are rubellite, Paraíba, indicolite, watermelon, green, and black.

Rubellite 

Vivid, intense pink to deep red. These have high value because of the cool saturation and little to no brown overtones. Fine rubellites are often among the high price range for tourmalines.

Paraiba Tourmaline 

This is the star of the family, rich and glowing, neon blue and neon green. The copper content gives it some of the rarest tourmaline colors in the world. Because of this, Paraiba is thought to be the most valuable tourmaline color, with prices often reaching thousands of dollars per carat. 

Indicolite 

Pure blue ranging from light to dark midnight tones. This is a favorite for elegance and desirability; indicolite is still prominent in high-end jewelry. 

Watermelon Tourmaline

One of nature's most interesting souvenirs. When sliced, these gems show a pink center and green at the rim, resembling a watermelon. Collectors enjoy watermelon tourmaline, which is often used in the natural crystal state. 

Green Tourmaline 

For purposes of jewelry, it is likely the most widely available form of tourmaline in nature. Natural greens range from bright chrome greens to forest green tones. This variety is often regarded as the best tourmaline for jewelry, being a versatile color. 

Black Tourmaline 

Also referred to as "schorl," this opaque black stone is beautiful, reasonably priced, and popular in artisan jewelry and crystal healing.

When asked about the best-colored tourmaline, the truth is it is subjective; however, Paraiba, rubellite, and indicolite have value in the market.  

Looking for more purple gemstones? Explore the guide on the list of purple gemstones.

Where Does Tourmaline Stone Come From?

Understanding tourmaline origin helps you discern expectations of quality, rarity, and value. Major sources include Brazil, Mozambique, Afghanistan, and Nigeria. 

• Brazil is one of the most iconic tourmaline sources. Brazil has produced the infamous Paraiba stones and consistently mines superior rubellite and green tourmaline.  

• Mozambique is now a leading source of represented copper-bearing stones that are often equal to or greater than Paraiba stones from Brazil.  

• Afghanistan is noted for terrific greens and blue-greens. These tourmalines tend to have good saturation and clarity.  

• Nigeria produces excellent blue tourmalines, excellent greens, and even copper-bearing varieties.  

While origin provides added desirability, it should not replace consideration of the value of the tourmaline stone itself. The value of two stones from the same origin may be completely different. 

How is a Tourmaline's Quality Determined?

Whether you're learning how to choose tourmaline or looking to enhance your wardrobe with a standout piece, you'll want to be in tune with the traditional 4Cs (color, clarity, cut, and carat) of tourmaline quality.

Color

Color is the most important aspect of tourmaline quality. Search for stones that are vivid and bright, ideally with even color, meaning the coloring is distributed evenly throughout the stone. The best tourmaline is strong in saturation, occupying as few brown or gray tones as possible, and the stone appears bright.

Clarity

Each tourmaline variety has its own expectations for clarity. Some of the inclusions in tourmaline (for example, “trichites”) are completely natural and generally acceptable. The rarer tourmalines will be eye-clean or won’t have anything visible when viewed with the naked eye, and those gems are worthy of higher prices, especially in brighter colors.

Cut

The cut of tourmaline is one of its most crucial characteristics. A quality cut brings out the best personality of the gem. Cuts are typically oriented to show off the best color possible and to prevent as much “windowing” as possible. Common cuts for gemstones in general are emerald, cushion, pear, and oval.

Carat Weight

Tourmaline is considered more valuable with an increase in carat weight. The significant value attached to increasing carat weight is made even more important in the case of the few rarer tourmalines measured in carat weight, in particular Paraiba and rubellite, which have a price per carat that increases significantly depending on size.

To keep your tourmaline energetically strong and physically vibrant, explore the How To Clean and Care For Tourmaline Stones & Jewelry: Complete Step-by-Step Guide for proper cleansing and maintenance techniques.

Natural vs. Treated Tourmalines: What Is the Difference?

Natural tourmaline is preferred by most customers. Tourmalines can be heat-treated, irradiated, or untreated. 

• Heat-Treated Tourmaline: Heating improves the color of rubellite and pink stones. The stabilization of heat has a durable and permanent effect.

• Irradiated Tourmaline: Irradiated treatment of tourmaline is sometimes used to enhance blue or green colors in tourmaline. The process of irradiated tourmaline enhancement is accepted as totally safe, and any reputable seller should be clear with you if they have used an enhancement.  

• Untreated Tourmaline: Untreated stones, especially with natural color and clarity, tend to be worth more money, especially if the stone is accompanied by certification.   

When buying high-quality tourmaline stones, always ask for a tourmaline certification. This will guarantee that the seller is being genuine about the stone's color or clarity and that it is real.  

How Can You Identify Real vs. Fake Tourmaline?

Knowing how to confirm the authenticity of tourmaline is crucial when it comes time to shop for your favorite stone, particularly if you bought it online. Always check for color shifts, natural inclusions, hardness, and certification. Here is a simple list to help you tell the difference between a real tourmaline and a fake one: 

• Natural tourmalines will show pleochroism or slight shifts in color depending on the angle of observation 

• You can expect to see slight inclusions; a completely flawless stone might be glass or synthetic. 

• You can test hardness; all glass will be scratched more easily than tourmaline. 

• Examine color zoning; many natural stones exhibited some slight levels of zoning or color gradients. 

• If you are unsure, request identification for your tourmaline gemstone from a lab. 

• If you have access to a refractometer, check the refractive index of the tourmaline. 

• Although synthetic stones are rare, it is still reasonable to price any tourmaline gemstones suspiciously low. 

If you’re unsure how to identify natural tourmaline, rely on lab reports or a professional jeweler.

Want to learn more about October’s birthstones? Check out our guide to October birthstones (opal & tourmaline) and uncover the full story.

What Is the Price of Tourmaline? 

The price range for tourmaline is broad, covering everything from value to extreme expense. Prices vary by color, clarity, carat, and rarity, from affordable greens to expensive Paraíba stones.

Here is a brief overview and tourmaline value chart of the trends of tourmaline price per carat:

• Paraiba Tourmaline: One of the rarest and most expensive tourmalines, large neon stones of good clarity can reach the high end of the pricing spectrum. 

• Rubellite: Good-quality rubellites can be extraordinarily expensive, especially with good, pure Paraiba color. 

• Indicolite: Deep, pure blue indicolites tend to command the highest prices

• Green Tourmaline: More accessible pricing, except for the highest quality chrome-like tones, which can be accompanied by high prices. 

• Watermelon Tourmaline: Price is contingent on clarity and the quality of color separation.

A clear and concise value chart for tourmaline can help facilitate comparing the categories more visually, especially if shopping for stones for investment purposes.

Things to Consider Before Buying Tourmaline 

If you are learning how to buy tourmaline or are preparing to buy tourmaline online or in-store, here are a few tips to help you purchase a genuine tourmaline:

• Start with your preferred color.

• Set a comfortable budget early.

• Understand clarity expectations with each tourmaline variety.

• Review the cut based on brightness and symmetry.

• Ask for treatment disclosure.

• Ask for tourmaline certification on pricey tourmalines.

• Make sure to double-check the origin if that is still important to you.

• Think about the quality and design of the jewelry before you buy.

• If you are buying jewelry online, make sure you only buy from well-established sellers!

• Check out the returns policy and an authenticity guarantee.

You can use these ideas for research on things to consider when buying natural tourmaline or where to buy tourmaline safely.

Curious about aquamarine? Read the complete Aquamarine buying guide. 

Final Thoughts 

Tourmaline can represent a tireless combination of color, function, and toughness that has made it a favorite with collectors and jewelry enthusiasts for years. There is a tourmaline for every taste and budget, from luminous Paraíba blues to deep rubellite reds and versatile greens. It is important to be aware of the 4Cs (color, clarity, cut, and carat), along with treatments and origins, when making a purchase.

Whether you are buying tourmaline as your birthstone, adding a one-of-a-kind piece to your collection, or acquiring a piece of tourmaline as an investment, the more knowledge you have, the more confident you can be in your purchase.

For those who are ready to purchase, there are well-respected online sources, such as GemstonesForSale, which offers a selection of natural tourmaline stones in a variety of black tourmaline (schorl), rubellite, and others, usually with certification and with as much information as the vendor has. Shopping from trusted vendors always assures the authenticity and quality of your stone, as well as peace of mind.

FAQ 

1. What affects the price of a tourmaline? 

The value of a gemstone depends on its color, clarity, size, and where it came from. Paraíba and rubellite are two rare types that are worth the most.

2. Is tourmaline a costly stone? 

Stones that are less common or of better quality can indeed be expensive. 

3. How can I tell if a tourmaline is real? 

Look for natural inclusions, color changes, and lab certification.

4. What is the difference between natural and synthetic tourmaline? 

Natural stones have formed naturally within the Earth; synthetics have been created in a lab and prove virtually flawless.

5. What should I do to take care of tourmaline? 

To clean your tourmaline, use a soft cloth, water, and mild soap. Stay away from heat and strong chemicals.

6. How do I buy authentic tourmaline online? 

Buy from sellers you can trust who offer lab certification, clear pictures, and a way to return items.

7. How does tourmaline compare to other stones? 

Tourmaline has more of a color range than sapphire/ruby but is less expensive than emeralds.

8. What is the hardness of tourmaline, and why is carat weight important? 

Tourmaline hardness is 7–7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. Generally, larger sizes with a rare color will be worth more.

9. Does tourmaline glow when exposed to UV light? 

Most tourmalines don't fluoresce much or at all, but this doesn't change how much the tourmaline is worth.

10. How can I test my tourmaline at home? 

Check for color change, inclusions, and hardness; a lab will provide certainty.