Tourmaline is one of the most versatile and colorful gemstones in the world. It belongs to a complex borosilicate mineral family containing elements such as aluminum, iron, magnesium, manganese, and copper. Due to this unique chemical composition, Tourmaline occurs in a wide range of colors, making it unmatched among natural gemstones.
Tourmaline crystallizes in the trigonal crystal system and is known for its natural pleochroism, meaning it can display different shades when viewed from different angles. Some Tourmalines also occur in parti-colored varieties, the most famous being Watermelon Tourmaline, which shows green and pink colors in a single stone.
Popular trade varieties include Pink Tourmaline (Rubellite), Blue Tourmaline (Indicolite), Green Tourmaline, Black Tourmaline (Schorl), and the extremely rare and valuable Paraiba Tourmaline, known for its neon blue glow.