Tourmaline: Varieties, Properties and Characteristics

Published on January 29, 2023 · Updated on October 12, 2026

Home » Gemstones: A Comprehensive Guide » Tourmaline: Varieties, Properties and Characteristics

Tourmaline is one of the gemstones most commonly used by jewellery designers, as it comes in almost every colour – and often features more than one colour within a single stone. In this guide, you’ll find out what tourmaline is, its gemmological properties and characteristics, the main varieties (Paraíba, indicolite, rubellite, verdelite, watermelon, dravite and others), its origin, treatments and care. There is an FAQ at the end.

As it pairs well with gold, silver and other metals and keeps up with fashion trends, tourmaline looks great in rings, earrings, pendants and necklaces. For those with no experience of buying gemstones, it is worth familiarising yourself with the technical aspects and the market for this gemstone beforehand.

What is tourmaline?

Tourmaline is a boron cyclosilicate (borosilicate) with a complex chemical composition, which may contain aluminium, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, calcium, manganese and, in some cases, copper. These elements are primarily responsible for the gem’s colours.

In fact, ‘tourmaline’ is not a single mineral, but rather the name of a group (or supergroup) comprising more than 30 recognised species, and this number is growing as new species are described. Only a few of these are used in jewellery, and the majority of cut stones are elbaite. The most common tourmaline found in nature is schorl (black tourmaline), and the differences between the species, when viewed under a microscope, can often only be determined through laboratory analysis.

Tourmaline is a relatively common mineral that occurs in various types of rock, particularly pegmatites. Not all types of tourmaline are used in jewellery: most of the material is black and opaque, and it is the stones with intense colour and good transparency that find their way into jewellery shops. Some varieties, such as Paraíba tourmaline, command very high prices.

Video on the types of tourmaline

Variedades de Turmalina09:00

Tipos de Turmalina07:24

When it comes to colour, tourmaline changes appearance depending on the light and the angle from which it is viewed, and each stone has its own unique colour. In many crystals, there is more than one colour within a single specimen.

Properties and gemmological characteristics of tourmaline

Composition: boron cyclosilicate, with a complex formula that varies depending on the species;
Crystal system: trigonal (hexagonal group), generally in elongated, striated prisms with a triangular cross-section;
Hardness: 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale;
Density: from around 2.8 to 3.3 in the buds, depending on the species;
Index of refraction: varies depending on the species, ranging from around 1.60 to 1.70 in the most common gemstones;
Birefringence: generally around 0.020, and higher in dark stones;
Lustre: vitreous;
Cleavage and fracture: no cleavage, with an irregular to conchoidal fracture; it is a brittle stone;
Pleochroism: moderate to strong, i.e. the colour changes depending on the direction from which it is viewed, a factor which the gem cutter takes into account when cutting the stone;
Colour: almost all, from colourless to black;
Pyroelectricity and piezoelectricity: the crystal becomes charged when rubbed or heated and attracts dust and ash, so the jewellery should be cleaned frequently.

As it has a high hardness and no cleavage, tourmaline withstands daily wear and tear well, although it may chip if subjected to heavy blows. The figures above vary between sources and species, and are provided for reference only.

Main types of tourmaline

The species most commonly mentioned on the market are as follows:

Schorl (black): this is the most common variety, rich in iron and sodium. It is the ‘black tourmaline’ found on the market, and the name is an old one, used for centuries;
Dravita (brown): rich in magnesium. The name comes from the Drava River region in Carinthia, Austria;
Elbaite: rich in lithium, aluminium and sodium, it is the variety found in most gemstones and comes in the widest range of colours. The name comes from the island of Elba in Italy;
Liddicoatite: a mineral containing calcium and lithium, also used in jewellery (there is material from Madagascar);
Uvita: a variety containing calcium and magnesium, found in shades of green, yellow and brown.

In practice, colour does not indicate the species. Many stones sold as dravite or uvite may in fact be elbaite, and only laboratory analysis can confirm this.

Varieties of tourmaline by colour

Nowadays, tourmalines are usually identified by the name of their colour following the term ‘tourmaline’, such as pink tourmaline. Many colours also have their own names, as shown below. Another way of naming them is by their place of origin, such as Paraíba tourmaline.

1. Paraíba tourmaline

Paraíba tourmaline is a copper-bearing elbaite, ranging in colour from ‘neon’ blue to green, and is the most highly prized variety. It was discovered in Paraíba in the late 1980s, near São José da Batalha, and first appeared on the market in 1989. There are also copper-bearing stones in Mozambique and Nigeria, which the trade refers to as Paraíba. The copper, together with manganese, gives the stone its intense, brilliant colour.

2. Blue tourmaline (indicolite)

Blue tourmaline is known as indicolite, ranging in colour from violet-blue to greenish-blue, in both darker and lighter shades. Its colour does not come from copper, and this is what distinguishes it from Paraíba tourmaline. The nickname ‘Brazilian sapphire’ is considered inappropriate, as it is reminiscent of another gemstone, and the IGS recommends avoiding it.

3. Black tourmaline (schorl)

Black tourmaline is schorl, and its dark colour is due to the iron in its composition, rather than calcium. It is very common and inexpensive, and in the past was used in Victorian mourning jewellery. Today it is also sold in necklaces, bracelets and collectable items.

4. Brown tourmaline (dravite)

Dravite ranges in colour from brown to brownish-yellow and is rich in magnesium. There are also green dravites, coloured by chromium or vanadium, which are rarer.

5. Yellow tourmaline

Yellow tourmaline, sometimes sold as ‘canary’ or ‘savannah’, ranges in colour from yellow to orange and yellowish-brown. The cause of the colour depends on the material: manganese in some elbaite, and iron in mixtures of dravite and uvite; some yellow and pink stones may have been coloured by radiation. Traditionally, it is believed to help ‘open paths’, a belief for which there is no scientific evidence.

6. Pink and red tourmaline (rubellite)

Rubellite ranges in colour from pink to red, including purplish and orange hues, and its colour is mainly due to manganese. There is some debate within the trade as to whether the light pink variety should be called rubellite. Some stones with a strong reddish hue are mistaken for ruby. In 1978, the Jonas mine in Conselheiro Pena (MG) produced large rubellite crystals, which was a milestone for the trade, according to a gemstone supplier (Skyjems).

Turmalina Rubelita — Rubellite Tourmaline

7. Green tourmaline (verdellite)

Verdelite is a green tourmaline containing neither chromium nor vanadium, its colour deriving mainly from iron (and, possibly, titanium). When the intense green colour is due to chromium or vanadium, the trade refers to it as ‘chrome tourmaline’. Verdelite is one of the most commonly used tourmalines in jewellery and can be mistaken for emerald. A well-known account tells of how, in the 16th century, a Spanish conquistador in Brazil mistook a green tourmaline crystal for an emerald.

Turmalina Verdelita — Verdelite Tourmaline

8. Watermelon tourmaline

Watermelon tourmaline features two colours within the same crystal: pink or red at the centre and green on the outside, sometimes with a pale layer in the middle. The crystals are usually cut into slices to reveal the pattern.

Turmalina Melancia — Watermelon Tourmaline

9. Colourless tourmaline (acroite)

Acroite is a colourless, or almost colourless, tourmaline and is very rare. The name comes from Greek and means ‘colourless’.

Origin: where tourmaline is found

Tourmaline is formed mainly in pegmatites, coarse-grained rocks, and also in alluvial deposits. In terms of production and variety, Brazil is one of the main sources of gem-quality tourmaline, particularly Minas Gerais and Bahia. The Paraíba variety comes from Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte. Outside Brazil, the sources cited in the references include:

Africa: Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe;
Asia: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India and Russia;
United States: California and Maine.

Trade names may vary from country to country. See also the post on the municipality of Pindobaçu (BA), another gem-mining centre in the state.

Treatments and how to buy tourmaline

Heating: lightens blue and green stones, and is stable and difficult to detect;
Irradiation: can produce red, deep pink, yellow and orange, and the colour may fade when exposed to heat or strong light for a long time;
Filling: resin or epoxy seal fractures and tubes, and can be seen with a magnifying glass and a hot needle;
Colourings and coatings: as these are generally unstable, they must be declared.

Stones weighing less than 5 carats are usually reasonably priced, according to the IGS. Prices rise for rare and saturated colours, large, flawless stones, and the Paraíba variety. Always ask for information about treatments and, for high-value purchases, a laboratory report. To learn how to distinguish between gemstones, see the guide to identifying a precious stone or gemstone.

Caring for tourmaline jewellery

Cleaning: use a soft brush, mild detergent and warm water, and clean it frequently as the yolk attracts dust;
Ultrasound and steam: avoid these, as vibration and heat can cause stones with liquid inclusions to burst;
Heat and strong light: avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and heat, particularly on irradiated stones;
Impacts: keep the item separate from your other jewellery.

The history and significance of tourmaline

The name derives from the Sinhalese turamali or toramalli, meaning something like ‘stones of mixed colours’, a term applied by Dutch traders to coloured stones from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). As the crystal attracts ash when heated, it became known in Europe as the ‘Ceylon magnet’. It was not until the 19th century that tourmaline was recognised as a distinct mineral; until then, many stones were mistaken for other gemstones.

Towards the end of the 19th century, pink and red tourmalines from California reached China, where, according to the GIA, the Empress Dowager Cixi was said to have admired such stones; trade declined following the fall of the Chinese government in 1912. In Brazil, the deposits became significant throughout the 20th century, and the discovery of Paraíba tourmaline in the 1980s brought new, intense colours to the market. Tourmaline is one of the birthstones for October.

In popular tradition, tourmaline is associated with protection and balance, and each colour is said to have its own meaning. These ideas stem from popular belief and have no scientific basis.

Sources consulted

Frequently Asked Questions

What is tourmaline?

It is a group of minerals, rather than a single mineral, consisting of boron cyclosilicates of varying composition. There are more than 30 recognised species, and most gemstones are elbaite.

What are the properties of tourmaline?

Hardness of 7 to 7.5, vitreous lustre, no cleavage, density of approximately 2.8 to 3.3, refractive index between approximately 1.60 and 1.70, moderate to strong pleochroism, and it attracts dust due to its pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties.

What are the different varieties of tourmaline?

The most commonly mentioned are Paraiba (blue to green, with copper), indicolite (blue), rubellite (pink to red), verdelite (green), watermelon (pink and green in the same crystal), dravite (brown), schorl (black), yellow and acroite (colourless).

Why does tourmaline come in so many colours?

Due to its variable chemical composition. Iron, manganese, copper, chromium, vanadium and other elements, as well as the effects of radiation, produce different colours, and a single crystal may change colour along its length.

What is Paraíba tourmaline?

It is a copper-bearing elbaite, ranging in colour from ‘neon’ blue to green, discovered in Paraíba in the late 1980s. Similar stones are also found in Mozambique and Nigeria, and this is the most highly prized variety.

What is the difference between blue tourmaline and Paraíba tourmaline?

The most common type of blue tourmaline is indicolite, and its colour does not come from copper. In Paraíba, copper gives the stone a very saturated blue or green colour, which is why it is rarer and more expensive.

Is black tourmaline the same as schorl?

Yes. Black tourmaline is schorl, which is rich in iron and sodium, and is the most common type of tourmaline. Its dark colour comes mainly from the iron.

Is tourmaline treated?

That may well be. Heating (to lighten blues and greens), irradiation (for pink, red and yellow), filling cracks and dyes are some of the treatments mentioned. Ask the seller and, for high-value purchases, ask for a report.

How do you clean tourmaline jewellery?

Use a soft brush, mild detergent and warm water, and avoid ultrasonic cleaning and steam. As the glass attracts dust, clean it frequently and avoid excessive heat.

Is tourmaline a gemstone?

According to the traditional classification, precious stones are diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds, and tourmaline is not included in this group. Even so, it is a highly prized gemstone and can be valuable, particularly the Paraíba variety. It is also one of the birthstones for October.

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →