Tourmaline is a beautiful gemstone that comes in a rainbow of colors. While most varieties of tourmaline are relatively common, some colors are considered quite rare and valuable to collectors. Here is an overview of some of the rarest and most prized color varieties of tourmaline.
Red Tourmaline
Red tourmaline, also known as rubellite, is one of the rarest and most desirable colors. Ranging from light pinkish-red to a deep, saturated ruby red, fine rubellite gems over one carat are extremely rare. The intense, fiery color of rubellite is unmatched by other tourmalines and belongs to the same color family as ruby. Premium rubellite can fetch prices rivaling fine ruby. While rubellite can be found in localities around the world, the most prized specimens have historically come from Mozambique and Afghanistan.
Blue Tourmaline
Blue tourmaline, known as indicolite, is another exceptionally rare color variety. While tourmaline can display every color, pure blue is one of the most difficult to find. Most blue tourmaline has secondary green and violet tones. To be considered a true indicolite, the blue color must be very strong with no noticeable secondary hues. The best indicolites are an intense primary blue with high clarity. Gem-quality material over one carat is scarce. Discovered in the late 1980s, the most coveted indicolites have come from Brazil's Minas Gerais region.
Paraiba Tourmaline
Discovered in 1989 in Brazil's Paraiba state, Paraiba tourmaline displays an incredibly rare neon blue-green color unlike standard tourmaline. The vivid blue-green color is caused by trace amounts of copper in the gem. Paraiba tourmaline also exhibits an intense glow under UV light. High-quality specimens over one carat are virtually non-existent, making fine Paraiba tourmaline among the most valuable gems in the world. The popularity of Paraiba tourmaline has led to similar looking gems being produced in Nigeria and Mozambique, but true Brazilian Paraiba is still the most prized.
Purple Tourmaline
While other purple gemstones like amethyst are relatively common, purple is one of the rarest colors to find in tourmaline crystals. Deep reddish-purple tourmaline is sometimes referred to as "true violet" or "grape soda" tourmaline. The best examples exhibit rich, vivid reddish-purple color reminiscent of fine amethyst or rhodolite garnet. Purple tourmaline from Africa is considered superior to material from other localities. Even medium to dark toned purple tourmaline can be quite scarce in sizes over a few carats.
Green Tourmaline
Most green tourmaline exhibits light green to bluish-green color. However, a rare lime green to forest green variety known as chrome dravite or chrome tourmaline is highly sought after. Discovered in Tanzania in the 1960s, chrome tourmaline gets its vivid green hues from vanadium and chromium within the crystals. The crisp, rich green tones combined with excellent clarity make fine chrome tourmaline extremely rare and valuable. Even small crystals can be worth many times more than standard green tourmaline.
In summary, the most valuable and coveted tourmaline specimens are those that display the purest, most saturated examples of the rare red, blue, green, and purple color varieties. While tourmaline can occur in every color, these standout hues in larger sizes are among the most prized in tourmaline collecting.
