Tourmaline guide: lagoon, rubellite and more at a glance

Tourmaline is one of the most versatile gemstone groups of all in terms of colour — from delicate rosé to deep green, from luminous blue to strong red. That variety does not always make the choice easy for collectors and buyers. An overview of the most important varieties.

Lagoon tourmaline

Lagoon tourmaline convinces with its characteristic blue-green to turquoise tones, reminiscent of tropical lagoons — hence the name. Stones from Brazil in particular are considered high in quality and are sought after by collectors.

Rubellite

Rubellite denotes the red to pink varieties of tourmaline. Strong, saturated reds without a brown undertone are considered especially valuable and are at times compared with rubies, although mineralogically this is an entirely different stone.

Paraiba tourmaline

The most coveted and rarest tourmaline variety is probably the Paraiba tourmaline, with its intense, neon-like blue to green — caused by copper content in the crystal. Genuine Paraiba tourmalines sometimes achieve prices comparable to high-quality sapphires.

What to look for when buying

Besides colour, clarity and origin also play a major role with tourmalines. Brazilian tourmalines have traditionally been regarded as particularly fine, though African localities increasingly yield stones of high quality. As with all coloured gemstones: an untreated stone with traceable origin is the safest choice for collectors and investors.

Conclusion

Whether lagoon, rubellite or Paraiba — tourmaline offers a fitting colour for almost every taste. Knowing the differences leads to a better-founded buying decision.