A Guide to Tourmaline Jewellery

What do tourmaline’s symbolise? 

Tourmalines' main symbolic association is with crystal healing practices. Black tourmaline represents protection and grounding properties due to its colour, and pink tourmaline symbolises compassion and emotional healing. Green tourmaline connects to the heart chakra, which is linked to growth.

Historically, tourmaline does not have the same symbolic meaning as other precious gems because reliable identification only developed in the 1700s.

In modern jewellery, tourmaline functions as an alternative birthstone for October and is connected to different zodiac signs based on its colour association. For example, pink tourmalines connect to water signs, green connects to earth and blue connects to air.

How rare is tourmaline? 

Tourmaline is a relatively common gemstone, and black tourmalines are relatively inexpensive. They are often used in industrial applications as well as jewellery. When it comes to jewellery, coloured tourmalines tend to be more valuable depending on their intensity and clarity.

• Red tourmaline is also known as rubelite and is the most valuable colour. High-quality red tourmaline of 3 carats and above can exceed the value of sapphire.

• Pink tourmalines are the second rarest and most valuable colour. The more vivid the colour, the more valuable they are.

• Blue tourmalines that display fluorescent neon-like blues are the rarest shade, whereas standard blue tourmalines sit lower on the price scale.

• Green tourmalines are also known as verdelite and rate fourth on the value scale. Deep, rich, saturated colours are the most valuable, whereas lighter varieties cost less.

• Tourmalines also come in bi-colour varieties, also known as watermelon tourmalines. Their unique qualities drive their price.

Where does tourmaline come from? 

Tourmaline mining occurs globally, with mines on almost every continent. Most tourmalines originate from Brazil, with a wide range of different coloured varieties. Madagascar ranks second and is known for pink and bi-coloured specimens.

Rare tourmalines in red and pink shades originate from Afghanistan, particularly the Panjshir Valley. Other notable mines are located in Mozambique, Namibia, Kenya, Pakistan and the USA.

What are tourmalines properties?

Tourmaline is a fairly hard gemstone. It ranks between 7 and 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, which is softer than sapphires at 9 and diamonds at 10. This makes it suitable for everyday jewellery wear, although you should choose a protective setting to avoid the risk of chips.

It produces moderate light dispersion and sparkle. In real terms, it has less brilliance than diamonds but more than many other coloured gemstones. It is also birefringent, which means the light splits into two rays when passing through it.

Tourmaline was used in early electronics due to its unique properties, as it generates an electric charge when heat or mechanical stress is applied.

Tourmaline jewellery from Diamond Heaven

Whether you are designing your own engagement ring that reflects your personality, or looking for a coloured stone that is as durable as it is beautiful, then tourmaline may be the right choice for you.  Book an appointment at any of our showrooms in London, Birmingham or Manchester, or start designing your custom bespoke ring.