A Kaleidoscope of Color
One of the most remarkable features of tourmaline is its dazzling array of colors. While it can be found in almost every color of the rainbow, some tourmalines are known for their distinctive shades and are even named accordingly:
Rubellite: This vibrant tourmaline ranges from pink to red and is prized for its rich and vivid hues as well as its rarity. While not as rare as the famed Paraiba Tourmaline, its color certainly speaks for itself, and clean specimens are highly sought after.
Indicolite: With its rich blue to greenish-blue tones, this Tourmaline must have blue as the dominant color to be considered a true Indicolite. The color is often well-saturated and vibrant. While Paraiba often takes the spotlight, this stunning gem is worth searching for.
Watermelon Tourmaline: Just as its name suggests, this variety has a charming characteristic, exhibiting a green exterior and a pink to red interior - resembling a slice of watermelon! The Watermelon Tourmaline is often seen in slabs so the full effect can be seen, but with careful cutting, and the right rough, it can be faceted into a bi-color that shows off this coloring.
Bi-Color Tourmaline: These gemstones display two or more distinct colors within the same crystal, creating mesmerizing patterns and transitions between colors. The most common colorings found are typically in the pink, blue, green, and colorless range.