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Tourmaline

Tourmaline

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV (retired)
Published: June 2014
Modified: September 2023
Tourmaline Polished Tourmaline Rough Tourmaline Jewelry
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Table of Contents
  • General Information
  • Tourmaline Colors
  • Tourmaline Spectra
  • Alternate Names
  • Countries of Origin
  • History
  • Care
  • More About Tourmaline
  • Species/Variety
  • Optical Phenomena
  • Related Videos

Tourmaline represents a large group of related mineral species that exhibit many unusual optical and physical properties. The tourmaline group consists of buergerite, chromdravite, dravite, elbaite, feruvite, liddicoatite, rossmanite, schorl and uvite. The Elbaite series includes rubellite, indicolite, paraíba, and watermelon tourmaline. Chemically more complex than most minerals, tourmaline exhibits a substantial range of colors and varieties. Some varieties exhibit two or more colors in the same stone.

General Information

  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical Properties
  • Chemistry & Crystallography
Common Name
Tourmaline
Species
Tourmaline
Transparency
Transparent - Opaque
Dispersion
Strength: Weak Fire Value: 0.017
Refractive Index
1.624-1.644
Tolerance:(+0.011/-0.009)
Birefringence
0.018-0.040
Optic Character
Uniaxial
Optic Sign
Negative
Polariscope Reaction
Doubly Refractive (DR)
Fluorescence
SWUV: Inert to weak red to violet
LWUV: Inert to weak red to violet
Pleochroism
Dichroic, moderate to strong, varying shades of body color
Hardness
7-7.5
Streak
White
Specific Gravity
3.000-3.260 Range:0.2/-0.06 Typical:3.060
Toughness
Fair
Inclusions
Green tourmaline is a type I clarity stone. Blue, purple, red, orange, yellow and bi-color or parti-colored tourmaline is a type II clarity stone. Red and watermelon tourmaline are type III clarity stones. Tourmaline might contain tube-like 2-phase inclusions running parallel to crystal's C axis; film-like, irregular, or long and thin liquid inclusions; angular thin reflective inclusions; gas inclusions in net-like pattern; parallel oriented hollow tubes; or needles.
Luster
Vitreous
Stability
Very Good
Fracture
Conchoidal, Uneven
Cleavage
Poor, in two directions
Chemical Name
complex boro-silicate of Al, Mg and Fe
Chemical Formula
(Ca,K,Na)(Al,Fe,Li,Mg,Mn)3(Al,Cr,Fe,V)6(BO3)Si6O18(OH,F)4
Crystal System
Trigonal
Chemistry Classification
Silicate

Tourmaline Colors

  • Bi-color Tourmaline
    Bi-color
  • Black Tourmaline
    Black
  • Blue Tourmaline
    Blue
  • Blue Tourmaline
    Blue
  • Brown Tourmaline
    Brown
  • Colorless Tourmaline
    Colorless
  • Gray Tourmaline
    Gray
  • Green Tourmaline
    Green
  • Green Tourmaline
    Green
  • Green Tourmaline
    Green
  • Green Tourmaline
    Green
  • Multi-color Tourmaline
    Multi-color
  • Orange Tourmaline
    Orange
  • Pink Tourmaline
    Pink
  • Pink Tourmaline
    Pink
  • Purple Tourmaline
    Purple
  • Purple Tourmaline
    Purple
  • Red Tourmaline
    Red
  • White Tourmaline
    White
  • Yellow Tourmaline
    Yellow

Tourmaline Spectra

Tourmaline Spectra
TOURMALINE Greenish blue

Color due to iron. The pale greenish blue tourmaline used for this spectrum shows very weak absorption with a faint narrow iron band where the blue merges to the green at 497nm. Broader bands are also seen in the green-yellow area centered at 560nm. and 580nm. Transmission fades in the orange as absorption sets in beyond 620nm.

Tourmaline Spectra
TOURMALINE (Unpolarized)

Color due to manganese. The broad band in the green centered at about 525nm. is a common feature of most pink and red tourmalines. Here it is so strong that the sharper line often seen within it at 537nm. is obscured. However, there is evidence of the faint lines at 450nm.and 458nm. normally associated with paler red and pink varieties

Tourmaline Spectra
Tourmaline (Unpolarized) Brown

Color due to iron and manganese. The spectrum of this reddish-brown tourmaline shows characteristics of the spectra seen in the red, pink and dark brown varieties. Here we see a broad moderate absorption centered at 497nm., usually attributed to iron, extending well into the blue and green on each side. Careful observation within this broad absorption will reveal narrower bands in the deep blue at 450nm. and 458nm. and also in the green at 525nm. and 537nm. These bands may also be seen in pink tourmaline where they are attributed to manganese.

Tourmaline Spectra
TOURMALINE (ω ray)

Color due to manganese. The broad band in the green centered at about 525nm. is a common feature of most pink and red tourmalines, faint lines at 450nm.and 458nm. In the direction of the o ray, the broad absorption intensifies to produce the deeper color of the dichroism making the lines in the blue more difficult to detect.

Tourmaline Spectra
TOURMALINE (ω ray) Brown

Transmission of the ordinary ray is considerably reduced by the intensity of the broad absorption band which covers most of the blue and green. Bands within this area are now obscured but a window of transmission in the deep blue enhances observation of the two lines at 450nm. and 458nm. Under the polarizing filter the stone appears a brownish orange in this direction.

Tourmaline Spectra
TOURMALINE (ε ray)

Color due to manganese. The broad band in the green centered at about 525nm. is a common feature of most pink and red tourmalines, faint lines at 450nm.and 458nm. As the absorption in the green narrows and weakens the stone appears a paler red to indicate the e-ray and the lines in the blue are a little easier to resolve.

Tourmaline Spectra
TOURMALINE (ε ray) BROWN

The paler yellowish-brown extraordinary ray transmits much more light with a much subdued broad absorption centered in the blue - green area about 500nm. Only a vague indication is seen of the lines at 450nm. and 458nm.

Tourmaline Spectra
TOURMALINE Blue

Color due to iron. Blue tourmaline transmits very little red and although the main absorption lines are stronger in the ordinary ray this is often too dark to see them easily. Here the unpolarized spectrum shows a moderate narrow band at 497nm. and a weaker band to the long wave side of this at 515nm. A broader diffuse band is seen at 560nm. before general absorption sets in after 600nm.

Tourmaline Spectra
TOURMALINE Greenish blue

Color due to iron. In green and blue tourmaline, the first thing we generally notice is the poor transmission in the orange and red and in this unpolarized spectrum there is nothing beyond 605nm. Often absorption in the ordinary ray is too strong and no transmission is seen beyond about 570nm. Other bands contributing to the color of this tourmaline are a narrow one seen at 497nm. and two other wider diffuse bands centered at 560nm. and 585nm.

We acknowledge the significant scientific contributions of John S Harris, FGA to the study of gemstone spectra and with deep appreciation to him, acknowledges the use of his images and related notes about gemstones and their spectra in the educational materials on this website.

Alternate Names

Achroite, Bi-Color Or Parti-Colored, Chrome Tourmaline, Dravite, Elbaite, Fluor-Buergerite, Indicolite, Liddicoatite, Povondtaite, ParaBa Tourmaline, Rubellite, Schorl, Uvite, Verdelite, Watermelon

Countries of Origin

Tanzania, United Republic Of; Myanmar; Afghanistan; Russian Federation; Sri Lanka; United States of America; Madagascar; Zambia; Kenya; Thailand; Congo; India; Sweden; Mozambique; Pakistan; Morocco; Unknown; China; Namibia; Brazil; Mexico; South Africa; Australia; Nigeria

History

The word tourmaline comes from the ancient Sinhalese word, turamali which means "stone of many colors." We know that tourmaline is a gemstone that's found in a veritable rainbow of options. But how about a tourmaline that has that rainbow of colors within a single crystal? Multi-colored tourmaline is found in combinations like gold with pink and red, or green, gold and red. It's called by many names, parti-colored, bi-color, tri-color, and even watermelon in the case of the most often seen duo of pink and green! Whether you choose tourmaline with a single color, a stone with two colors or a stone with many colors, tourmaline is well worth owning. It may be called a myriad of things by experts. We jewelry lovers call it wonderful.

Care

Tourmaline is very wearable with a Mohs hardness of 7 - 7.5. It's easy to wear and easy to care for. Avoid steam or ultrasonic cleaners and avoid sudden temperature changes. Tourmaline will respond well to warm, sudsy water, a thorough rinse and a soft-cloth dry. Avoid harsh chemicals; use only gentle soap.

More About Tourmaline

Ancient civilizations needed to explain the world in which they lived, very much as we do today. Without modern scientific tools, they had to find more fanciful explanations for earth's wonders. According to legend, tourmaline is found in many colors because it traveled along a rainbow and picked up its colors along the way. Tourmaline was a valued element in ancient medicine, especially in the Far East where it was believed useful as a remedy for all manner of illnesses.

Species/Variety

Cat's Eye Tourmaline

Cat's Eye Tourmaline Tourmaline
Cat's Eye Tourmaline Tourmaline
  • Classification
Common Name
Cat's Eye Tourmaline

Watermelon Tourmaline

Watermelon tourmaline is an interesting multi-colored elbaite variety. Gems are usually fashioned in thin polished slices to display the crystal's concentric color rings. If you use your imagination, the green represents the skin of the watermelon, white makes up the rind, and pink is the sweet fruit. Incredibly, the colors of watermelon tourmaline are 100% natural, a rare occurrence in nature that makes the gem highly collectible.

Watermelon Tourmaline Tourmaline
Watermelon Tourmaline Tourmaline
  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Watermelon Tourmaline
Dispersion
Strength: moderate fire Value: 0.017
Birefringence
0.018-0.02
Fluorescence
SWUV: Variable
LWUV: Variable
Pleochroism
Dichroic, medium to strong, varying shades of body color
Inclusions
Watermelon tourmaline is Type II clarity stone. Color zoning with pink core and green edges. Stones might contain liquid and gas inclusions that are long and thin, reflective gas-filled fractures and color zoning.

Paraiba

Paraíba tourmalines are copper bearing elbaite tourmaline that are neon to electric blue, intense green, and vivid purple to violet in color. Heitor Dimas Barbosa headed up a team of 13 garimpeiros in search for tourmaline in 1982 outside the village of São José da Batalha in north central Paraíba State, Brazil. The first Paraíba tourmaline was found at the Batalha Mine in 1987 and the gemstone first appeared at the Tucson gem shows in 1990. Cuprian tourmaline was later found in other locations in Brazil, Nigeria, and Mozambique that also bear the name Paraíba tourmalines. The blue and bluish green colors are due to Cu2+. The additional presence Mn3+ causes color absorption in the spectra and produces violet to purple colors. Heat can be used to intensify color and included stones are fracture filled with oil or polymers to improve clarity.

Paraiba Tourmaline
Paraiba Tourmaline
  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Paraiba
Dispersion
Strength: moderate fire Value: 0.017
Birefringence
0.018-0.02
Fluorescence
SWUV: Variable
LWUV: Variable
Inclusions
Paraiba tourmaline is a type II clarity stone. Stones might contain liquid and gas inclusions that are long and thin, reflective gas-filled fractures and color zoning.

Multi-Colored Tourmaline

Multi-colored tourmaline is a variety of tourmaline containing two or more colors displayed in one crystal. Green and pink is the most prevalent combination, but others are possible.

Multi-Colored Tourmaline Tourmaline
Multi-Colored Tourmaline Tourmaline
  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Multi-Colored Tourmaline
Dispersion
Strength: moderate fire Value: 0.017
Birefringence
0.018-0.02
Fluorescence
SWUV: Variable
LWUV: Variable
Inclusions
Multi-colored tourmaline is Type II clarity stone. Stones will have two or more color zones. Stones might contain liquid and gas inclusions that are long and thin, reflective gas-filled fractures and color zoning.

Elbaite

The tourmaline family consists of at least 14 distinct minerals, but the variety elbaite accounts for nearly all gem-quality tourmaline. It was named as a result of the colored and colorless tourmalines found on the picturesque island of Elba off the western coast of Italy--history buffs know this island as the place where Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled in 1814. Although best known in shades of green and red, elbaite can also be blue, purple, yellow, or colorless. Notable varieties of elbaite include rubellite, green tourmaline, indicolite, watermelon tourmaline, Paraiba tourmaline and colorless.

Elbaite Tourmaline
Elbaite Tourmaline
  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Elbaite
Dispersion
Strength: moderate fire Value: 0.017
Refractive Index
1.614-1.666
Birefringence
0.014-0.032
Fluorescence
SWUV: Inert
LWUV: Inert
Specific Gravity
2.9
Inclusions
Green elbaite tourmaline stones are type I clarity stones.Blue, purple, orange, yellow and bi-color or parti-colored elbaite tourmalines are type II clarity stones.Stones might contain liquid and gas inclusions that are long and thin, reflective gas-filled fractures and color zoning.

Dravite

Dravite is the dark yellow to brown variety of tourmaline.It is named after a deposit in modern day Slovenia near the Drave river.

Dravite Tourmaline
Dravite Tourmaline
  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Dravite
Dispersion
Strength: moderate fire Value: 0.017
Refractive Index
1.614-1.666
Birefringence
0.014-0.032
Fluorescence
LWUV: Inert to weak
Pleochroism
Dichroic, strong pale yellow to colorless and yellow, green, or brown
Inclusions
Dravite is a Type II clarity stone. Stones might have liquid and gas inclusions that are long and thin, reflective gas-filled fractures and color zoning.

Optical Phenomena

Cat's Eye

The term cat's eye, or chatoyancy, is used to describe a phenomenal optical property in gemstones, in this case tourmaline. The effect, when present, appears as a bright, narrow slit similar to the pupils in the eyes of your favorite feline. This phenomenon is caused by parallel fibrous or needle-like inclusions that interfere with the passage of light throughout the crystal, scattering and reflecting light back to the viewer as a thin line. Cat's eye tourmaline can occur in many colors but particularly in green and pink varieties.

Cat's Eye Tourmaline
Cat's Eye Tourmaline
  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Cat's Eye
Dispersion
Strength: moderate fire Value: 0.017
Birefringence
0.018-0.02
Fluorescence
SWUV: Variable Pink: inert to very weak red to violet
LWUV: Variable Pink: inert to very weak red to violet
Pleochroism
Dichroic, medium to strong variations of body color
Inclusions
Cat's-eye tourmaline has Type III clarity. Stones has numerous parallel hollow tubes. The eye is less focused and harder to see than other cat's-eye stones. Stones might have liquid and gas inclusions that are long and thin, reflective gas-filled fractures and color zoning.

Related Videos

Shop for tourmaline from gemstones.com on Jedora, a precious stone with great variety and colors.
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