Brazilian Tourmaline
Brazilian tourmaline varieties beyond Paraíba - rubellite, indicolite, chrome tourmaline, and other colours.
Introduction
Beyond Paraíba, Brazil produces a wide 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.