SOUNDS LIKE RUBY, BUT NOT ALWAYS RED
Rubellite is one of the most prized and expensive varieties of the Tourmaline Family. Although its name sounds ruby-like in color, it is not always the case. Rubellite comes in a wide range of colors, from violet pink, purplish red-pink, golden red brownish to the top ideal strawberry color. Cranberry and reddish plum colors are other interesting colors named by the Trade as some of the Rubellite color variety. Pink Tourmaline falls in the Rubellite Group and its color range. however, Rubellite is not always Pink Tourmaline.
USUALLY INCLUDED TYPE III GEM
Classified by GIA as a Type III Gemstone, usually included Gems, due to its crystal structure, most rubellites are imperfect to some degree but in fact, it has not stopped it from being considered as one of the major collector Gems that collectors always seek in large sizes. "Jewelers and consumers have been considerably less tolerant of the stone’s commonly glaring inclusions. Americans think about colored stones the way they think about diamonds, so they expect colored stones to be 4Cs clean and that’s an expectation which is hard for Rubellite to meet." Consumer Guide to Colored Gemstones by David Federman page 164.
WHERE IS RUBELLITE TOURMALINE FOUND?
U.S.A., Afghanistan, Brazil and Africa are the main sources for Rubellite as well as other types of Tourmaline. Although Brazil used to produce 75% of the World’s production of Rubellite, that is not the case anymore.
THE WORLD HAS CHANGED
New discoveries in Madagascar and Nigeria have changed the World of Rubellite, where large crystals of Rubellite have been found. The market was flooded by large quantities of Rebuilt in small sizes, color ranging from brownish red, pink, and golden to violet pinkish colors. Only smart and knowledgeable collectors went after the large crystals. It is a similar situation to what happened a few years ago when Tanzanite flooded the market. Only smart and knowledgeable collectors invested in the large top grade pieces. Now they have the best returns on their investment.
UNTREATED, FLAWLESS, AND THE BEST DEAL EVER IN THE GEM WORLD
Although most Rubellite Tourmaline are irradiated to intensify its deep pink to red color as it is a common practice on Brazilian Tourmaline, Madagascar Tourmaline is commonly sold in the market in its natural condition, not even heat treated. It is very simple to identify this fact by observing a brownish color or a brown overtone as an indication of its natural condition. Some attempt of heating this material led to a beautiful colorless tourmaline. Heated or irradiated stones usually exhibit pure pink or deep pinkish red colors. Madagascar Rubellites are also commonly flawless! It is too good to be and thus the question is, "How long is it going to last?"
Rubellite Tourmalines are beautiful Gems; they are a strong indication of natural richness of colors and creativity. Beautiful jewelry has been made of Rubellites for women and men with a wide range of colors that meets all tastes.
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