Gem Gallery - Tourmaline

Rubellite Tourmaline

What is rubellite [roo-buh-lite]? It is pink to red tourmaline. Observe the various rubellites in this video.

Tourmalines from Maine

The US state of Maine has produced beautiful tourmalines. - Photo © ICA, courtesy Boston Findings Co. Inc.

Paraíba Tourmaline

Copper in this Paraíba tourmaline adds to the richness of its color. Paraíba tourmalines were discovered in the 1980s. The world went wild over them because of their beautiful colors of neon blues and greens. - Photo by Robert Weldon/GIA

Bicolor Tourmaline

This bicolor tourmaline is an excellent example of gem art. The stone has vivid, separated colors and the highest clarity. - Photo by Lydia Dyer, gem courtesy John Dyer & Co.

Tourmaline Colors

Tourmalines come in many color choices. - Photo by Robert Weldon/GIA, courtesy of Menahem Sevdermish, GemeWizard

Something Different

Gem sculptors often cut large tourmaline crystals into special pieces for people who like something different in art. This creative art piece was cut by a famous German cutter by the name of Bernd Munsteiner. - Photo by Robert Weldon/GIA, courtesy of Bernd Munsteiner

Cut Paraíba Gems

These are Paraíba tourmalines, which people love for their bright, rich green and blue colors. The gem on the left is a turquoise-blue color with a triangle cut. The middle stone is an electric-blue pear shape, and the gem on the right is a green pear shape. Do you have a favorite? - Photo by Robert Weldon/GIA, Dr. Eduard J. Gübelin Collection

Large Rubellite

This rubellite tourmaline crystal weighs over 2,997 grams (6.6 pounds) and the cut rubellite weighs over 36 carats (7.2 grams or .25 ounces). Both are large and very valuable, and both are from mines in San Diego County in the U.S. - Photo by Robert Weldon/GIA, courtesy William F. Larson, Pala International

Still Beautiful

Even though this bicolor (two-color) gem has visible inclusions, the strong red and green color areas still make it beautiful. - Photo by Robert Weldon/GIA, Dr. Eduard J. Gübelin Collection

Color Zones

Color zones are different-colored areas in a gem. Skilled gem cutters can show off color zones in the way they cut and polish tourmaline. - Photo by Robert Weldon/GIA, Dr. Eduard J. Gübelin Collection

Like Ruby and Sapphire?

Tourmaline's color can come close to that found in ruby and pink sapphire. This rubellite and pink tourmaline are excellent examples. - Photo by Robert Weldon/GIA, Dr. Eduard J. Gübelin Collection