The Most Colourful Gem of All
Tourmaline is famous for occurring in a wider range of colours than almost any other gemstone — sometimes several colours in a single crystal. Sri Lanka's gem gravels yield attractive tourmalines, and the gem's variety makes it a favourite for creative jewellery. It has a hardness of 7–7.5.
Popular Varieties
- Green tourmaline (verdelite) — fresh, leafy greens
- Pink & red tourmaline (rubellite) — vivid and romantic
- Blue tourmaline (indicolite) — rarer and prized
- Bi-colour & "watermelon" — pink centre with a green rim, a tourmaline speciality
- Brown to honey shades — warm and affordable
What Affects Value
- Colour — vivid, pure colours (especially rubellite, indicolite) are most prized.
- Clarity — eye-clean stones preferred, though some varieties are typically included.
- Bi-colour effect — clean, well-defined colour zones add interest and value.
- Cut & carat — clean larger stones rise in price.
Fun Fact
Tourmaline is pyroelectric and piezoelectric — it can develop an electric charge when heated or pressed, which is why warm tourmaline attracts dust and tiny paper bits.
See the Source
Browse Ratnapura accommodation and the Island of Gems overview.
Quick Facts
| Mineral | Tourmaline |
| Colours | Almost every colour; multi-colour crystals |
| Key types | Rubellite, indicolite, verdelite, watermelon |
| Hardness | 7–7.5 (Mohs) |
| Special | Pyroelectric & piezoelectric |
| Main SL source | Ratnapura gem fields |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is tourmaline so colourful? It naturally occurs in a wider range of colours than almost any other gem — sometimes several in a single crystal.
What is watermelon tourmaline? A bi-colour variety with a pink centre and green rim, resembling a slice of watermelon.
Which colours are most valuable? Vivid rubellite (red/pink) and indicolite (blue) are especially prized.
Is it true tourmaline attracts dust? Yes — it's pyroelectric, so when warm it can develop a charge that attracts dust and small paper bits.