A buying guide to tourmaline rings

Tourmaline comes in more colours than almost any other gemstone. It is available in all colours of the rainbow. This makes it popular in jewellery-making and especially in bespoke gemstones rings. This article is a buying guide to tourmaline rings.

Tourmaline colours and characteristics

Colours Tourmaline rings can make excellent wedding or engagement rings, personalised rings or even gifts. You can usually find this gemstone in your favourite colour. Tourmaline is available in the colours of the rainbow: blue, green, yellow and red. It can be found in the different shades of these colours. It is even possible to find black tourmalines. Shades Many tourmalines have more than one colour. Some can also change their shades when they are under different types of light sources for example, sunlight and artificial light. The intensity of the shade can also change depending on which angle you are looking at the gem from. Unique It is not possible to find two tourmalines that are exactly like each other. This unique look makes tourmaline a great gemstone for personalised jewellery. It also symbolises love and friendship, and is a good choice for a wedding ring. The hardness of tourmaline is between 7 and 7.5 on the Mohs scale (diamonds are the hardest gemstones at 10 on the Mohs scale).

The different names for tourmaline

When shopping for tourmaline jewellery, you might come across different names for this gemstone: - Rubellite Rubellite is a tourmaline with a deep red colour. However, red tourmalines that change their colours under different light sources are called pink tourmalines. - Verdelite The green tourmaline or verdelite, is a popular variety. It is used extensively in jewellery. - Canary The yellow varieties are called canary tourmalines. - Indigolites The indigolites are blue tourmalines. - Dravites The dravites are brown or yellow-brown tourmalines. - Schorl The stunning black tourmaline is called schorl. - Paraiba The Paraiba tourmaline has a blue or greenish blue colour. It is one of the most valuable tourmalines on the market. - Other You can also find multi-coloured tourmalines or bi-coloured varieties. Price The price of this gemstone can vary a lot depending on its colour and its quality. Tourmaline is mined in many countries around the world and is widely used in jewellery designs. However, high quality gems with deep and intense colours are always difficult to find. A tourmaline ring with an intense colour and a high clarity can be very valuable.