Brazilian Tourmaline
Brazilian tourmaline varieties beyond Paraíba - rubellite, indicolite, chrome tourmaline, and other colours.
Introduction
Beyond the celebrated Paraíba, Brazil produces an exceptional range of tourmaline
varieties from its Minas Gerais and Bahia pegmatite fields, which have supplied the
gem trade continuously since the nineteenth century. [1]
The full elbaite colour palette is represented: rubellite (saturated pink to red),
indicolite (blue to blue-green), chrome tourmaline (chromium-green from Bahia), and
bicolour watermelon tourmaline.
Diagnostic significance is predominantly commercial. Trace-element chemistry can
separate Brazilian rubellite from other sources in a laboratory, but for most purposes
the variety name and treatment status matter more than origin. Heat treatment is
occasionally applied to reduce brownish modifiers; natural colour commands a premium
for saturated rubellite.
Brazil also supplies the majority of the world's amethyst from the cathedral geode
fields of Rio Grande do Sul, where heat-conversion to citrine is standard practice —
most commercial citrine originates as Brazilian amethyst. [2]
Natural citrine, with subtler colour, is considerably rarer than the heated product.
Rubellite
Fine pink to red tourmaline:
Sources
- Minas Gerais: Primary source
- Multiple deposits: Various quality levels
- History: Long production history
- Status: Ongoing production
Characteristics
- Colour: Pink to red to purplish-red
- Best material: Saturated with minimal brown
- Clarity: Variable; clean stones premium
- Value: High for fine saturated reds
Definition Debate
- Some reserve "rubellite" for red only
- Others include saturated pink
- Trade usage varies
- Saturation more important than exact hue
Indicolite
Blue tourmaline variety:
Characteristics
- Colour: Blue to blue-green
- Best material: Saturated blue without green
- Rarity: Fine indicolite relatively scarce
- Value: Premium for pure blue
Sources
- Minas Gerais primary
- Various deposits across Brazil
- Quality material less common than green
Green & Chrome Tourmaline
Green varieties from Brazil:
Standard Green
- Most common tourmaline colour
- Wide range of qualities
- Iron-coloured typically
- Accessible price points
Chrome Tourmaline
- Source: Bahia primary [1]
- Colour: Intense green (chromium)
- Character: Richer than iron-green
- Value: Premium for fine saturation
Bi-Colour & Watermelon
Multi-colour tourmaline:
Watermelon Tourmaline
- Pink center, green rim
- Cut to show colour zones
- Popular collector variety
- Good Brazilian production
Bi-Colour Varieties
- Various colour combinations
- Pink/green most classic
- Blue/green combinations
- Value depends on contrast and arrangement
Brazilian Citrine & Amethyst
Major quartz production:
Rio Grande do Sul
Natural Citrine
Other Brazilian Gems
| Gem | Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandrite | Minas Gerais | Some fine material; rare |
| Kunzite | Minas Gerais | Good quality pink spodumene |
| Morganite | Minas Gerais | Fine pink beryl |
| Chrysoberyl cat's eye | Various | Good chatoyant material |
| Andalusite | Minas Gerais | Strong pleochroism |
| Spessartine garnet | Various | Orange variety |
Market Overview
Brazilian tourmaline in the trade:
- Variety: Full colour range available
- Quality: Commercial to exceptional
- Volume: Major world producer
- Value: Varies widely by variety and quality
- Cutting: Major domestic cutting industry
References
- ↑ 1. Schumann, W. (2009). Gemstones of the World (4th ed.). Sterling Publishing. ISBN: 978-1-4027-6829-3.
- ↑ 2. Read, P. (2014). Gemmology (3rd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. DOI: 10.4324/9780080507224.