SARA HANDMADE JEWELLERY
Tourmaline
Australian made
20 Years experience
Ethically sourced gemstones
Created to last a lifetime
What is Tourmaline?
The most colourful of all gemstones is tourmaline which comes in nearly every imaginable colour. It is no surprise that over the course of history, Tourmaline has often been mistaken for other gems like rubies or emeralds.
Tourmaline is the name given to a family of related minerals with widely varying properties. A large group of boron silicate minerals, Tourmaline owes its range of colours to the inclusion of additional minerals such as copper, manganese, iron and titanium.
Having a Mohs hardness of 7 to 7.5 means that tourmaline can resist scratches from everyday hazards. This means that anyone can wear a tourmaline gem for any occasion. Their hardness as well as the variety of colours they can be found in make Tourmaline a popular gem for jewellery throughout the world.
We regularly use Tourmaline as a feature stone when we design and create dress and cocktail rings.
Where is Tourmaline Found?
Tourmaline is found on all of the world’s continents, with many areas able to produce more than one variety. Although Tourmaline gemstones are found in many locations, some places have built a reputation for producing quality gems. The largest producers of Tourmaline are Brazil, Parts of Africa, South Asia and the United States.
Brazil is by far the most famous sources of Tourmaline with Black, Pink and most importantly Paraiba Tourmaline all being mined there.
Other areas that are sources for Pink and Green Tourmaline includes Afghanistan, India, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Russia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Black Tourmalines are considered the cheapest and are predominantly mined in Africa and Sri Lanka.
Custom Made Tourmaline Jewellery
Found in more colours than any other gemstone, Sara Handmade Jewellery loves using tourmaline for bespoke creations.
What Our Customers Say
What are the Colours of Tourmaline?
Tourmaline can be found in a range of colours that range from colourless to pink and all the way through to black. There are also other unique and amazing varieties such as Paraiba tourmaline and watermelon or bi-colour tourmalines.
Green Tourmalines can have soft and stunning pastels similar to that of peridot. It can also be found in the deep rich hues of emeralds which it is often used as an alternative. Higher quality pieces are transparent and brilliant with hues of blue and green.
The hues of Chrome Tourmalines have higher saturation levels than green tourmalines. They are often used as a cheaper alternative to Tsavorite Garnets and Emeralds which are hard to find in gems that are over 2 carats.
Blue Tourmalines can be found in both light and dark tones. Blue Tourmalines are often modified by green hues. They can often appear green while still being blue or be blue with a hint of green.
Red to pinkish coloured Tourmalines which are also one of the most popular. Their name ‘Rubellite’ comes from their often ruby-like appearance.
Multicolour, Bicolour and Watermelon Tourmalines have colour zones which let them show different colours in the one gemstone. These colour stones happen when the elements that make the stone change in concentration while the gem is being formed. Gemstones with these properties are often faceted to show their unique combinations of colour. Watermelon Tourmalines have a pink to red core with a green rind around it.
By far the most valuable of all Tourmaline is the renowned Paraiba or copper bearing Tourmaline. Paraiba Tourmaline was discovered in Brazil in the 1980’s and is named after the area where it was first discovered. Paraiba Commonly blue, and often ranging from green through to violet, the Paraiba comes in a range of bright hues and vivid shades. Paraiba Tourmalines can have an almost neon illumination, higher colour saturation and are rarer than any other Tourmaline. It is a combination of all these qualities that make Paraiba Tourmalines more sought after and valuable than all others.
We carry a range of different Tourmalines at Sara Handmade Jewellery and have some great examples of most colours. If you are after a specific shape, colour or size Tourmaline we don’t have in we can help you source a gemstone.
Is Tourmaline Valuable?
As there are so many differing types of Tourmalines it is commonly known that they don’t all share the same value. Some Tourmalines are more desired or far rarer and command higher prices.
Paraiba Tourmaline, is the rarest of all Tourmaline and has the most vivid colour. For these reasons, Paraiba Tourmalines are extremely desired and perfect gems can easily command prices in excess of $5K per carat.
Chrome, Pink and Hot Pink Tourmaline as well as others with intense colours and excellent clarity can also fetch high prices. This can also be said for Bi-Colour and Watermelon tourmalines which are extremely popular because of their colour combinations.
Cheaper varieties such as Black Tourmalines are also mined with industrial uses in mind or are turned into powder for electronics.
As well as rarity, all gemstones value is based on the 4 C’s of Colour, Cut, Clarity and Carat with tourmaline being no different. These factors are all taken into consideration when determining the value of a particular gem with better specimens being valued accordingly.
Our Services
Sara Handmade Jewellery offers bespoke jewellery, custom designs and everything in between to keep you sparkling
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Bespoke & Custom
Have a piece jewellery custom designed and created just for you. Become a part of the design process for your new special piece.
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Engagement Rings
We will find the perfect gemstone to create you an engagement ring that expresses your love and will be treasured forever.
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Jewellery Remodelling
Have family heirlooms, sentimental jewellery and unworn pieces remodelled into something new. Add gems and give the design your own personal touch.
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Repairs & Restoration
Repair or restore your damaged jewellery to look like new. Resizing, rhodium plating, re-tipping as well as replacing damaged and missing gemstones.
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Dress & Cocktail
Big, bold and beautiful dress rings designed to make a statement. We can help you create your own bespoke statement ring.
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Gemstone Sourcing
We will find the precious and semi-precious gems you are looking for in any colour, size, shape or clarity.
FAQs on Tourmaline
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Discovered in 1989, the Paraiba Tourmaline is the rarest with its neon blue or green colours. This electric and vivid colouring is caused by the inclusion of copper.
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With a hardness of 7.0 – 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale Tourmaline is considered a fairly hard gemstone. Because of this, it can resist scratching and is considered fine to wear for everyday use.
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Tourmaline (and Opal) are the birthstones for the month of October. Tourmaline is the newer of the two birthstones and comes in an array of colours. Tourmalines can be found in greens and pinks through to neon blues and bi-colours.
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It is said that Tourmaline promotes reconciliation and wealth while encouraging compassion, calmness, healing and friendship.
Get in touch
Get in touch to book an appointment, ask us a question or start creating the perfect piece of jewellery.