Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 15, 2026

Rubellite

Rubellite is the red or pink variety of tourmaline and is a member of the elbaite. It is also the rarest gem in its family. It is occasionally mistaken for ruby. These gems typically contain inclusions.

Last revised
Jul 15, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
273 w
Citations
13
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Rubellite
General
CategoryTourmaline1
Identification
ColorRed, pink, pinkish, violet-red

Rubellite is the red or pink variety of tourmaline and is a member of the elbaite. It is also the rarest gem in its family.2 It is occasionally mistaken for ruby.3 These gems typically contain inclusions.4

Notable countries where rubellite can be mined include Afghanistan, Brazil, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nigeria, Russia, and the United States.4

Name

Rubellite is named after the Latin word rubellus, meaning "reddish".2 The term rubellite was first used in 1794.5

The gem is also called apatite, apyrite, rubellite, or rubylite.1

History

Rubellite crystals were known in Europe as early as Roman times, when specimens were imported from the East. However, these rubellite specimens were confused with other red gemstones, such as garnets and spinels.6  

Value

Rubellite used to be the most expensive and prized gem in the tourmaline group, but has since been eclipsed by Paraiba tourmaline.

78 The most valuable specimens are intensely red and lack brown tones.3 Those with a ruby color are the most valuable.9

References

References

  1. "Rubellite". mindat.org.
  2. Oldershaw, Cally (2003). Firefly Guide to Gems. Firefly Books. p. 132. ISBN 978-1-55297-814-6.
  3. Grande, Lance; Augustyn, Allison (2009-11-15). Gems and Gemstones: Timeless Natural Beauty of the Mineral World. University of Chicago Press. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-226-30511-0.
  4. "Rubellite Tourmaline Value, Price, and Jewelry Information". International Gem Society. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  5. "rubellite". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. OCLC 1032680871. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
  6. The magical world of minerals & gems Practical guide to discovering and collecting them (in Italian). Novara: De Agostini. 1993–1996.
  7. "TOURMALINE BUYING GUIDE". palagems.com. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  8. Federman, David (2012-12-06). Modern Jeweler's Consumer Guide to Colored Gemstones. Springer Science+Business Media. p. 163. ISBN 978-1-4684-6488-7.
  9. "Rubellite gemstone information". gemdat.org. Retrieved 2021-10-01.