Tourmaline is a complex and beautiful gemstone known for its remarkable range of colors and its striking crystal formations. It belongs to a group of boron silicate minerals that contain elements such as aluminum, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, or potassium—each contributing to its color variations.

Here’s a detailed description:

General Description

Tourmaline is one of the most diverse gemstones in nature. It can appear in nearly every color of the spectrum—from vivid pinks and deep reds to emerald greens, ocean blues, and even black. Some crystals display multiple colors within a single stone, such as the famous watermelon tourmaline, which shows a pink center surrounded by a green rim.

Varieties and Colors

• Richly colored, gem-quality (pink, green, blue, multicolored)

• Schorl: Black or very dark brown (common)

• Dravite: Brown to dark yellowish-brown

• Rubellite: Deep red to pink

• Indicolite: Blue to blue-green

• Verdelite: Green

• Watermelon Tourmaline: Pink center with green rim

• Paraíba Tourmaline: Electric blue to neon green (copper-bearing, extremely valuable)

Major sources include Brazil, Afghanistan, Madagascar, Nigeria, Mozambique, and the United States (California and Maine)