Colors
- Pink
- Red (rubellite)
- Green (verdelite, chrome tourmaline)
- Blue (indicolite)
- Neon blue to green (Paraiba, colored by copper)
- Brown to yellow (dravite)
- Black (schorl)
- Colorless (achroite)
- Watermelon (green and pink)
Browse other gems by color: Pink · Red · Green · Blue · Brown · Black · Yellow
Where Tourmaline comes from
- Brazil
- Sri Lanka
- Nigeria
- Mozambique
- Madagascar
- Afghanistan
- Pakistan
- Maine and California (US)
Tourmaline meaning and history
The name: From the Sinhalese "tura mali", which AGS translates as "stone of mixed colors".
Meanings and powers attributed to gems are history and folklore. We report them; we do not claim a stone can do anything.
How hard is Tourmaline?
Tourmaline is 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, where talc is 1, quartz 7 and diamond 10. Toughness, its resistance to chipping and breaking: fair.
See every birthstone on the hardness chart
How to clean and care for Tourmaline
| Warm soapy water | Safe (the best method) |
|---|---|
| Ultrasonic cleaner | Not recommended |
| Steam cleaner | Not recommended |
Heat, light and chemicals: Not affected by chemicals; high heat can change its color and sudden temperature change can crack it.
Treatments to ask about
Often heated or irradiated; heat treatment is stable.
Can you wear Tourmaline every day?
Wear with care Can chip, crack or scratch. Protective settings, pendants and earrings are safer than everyday rings. Check other stones.
Compare Tourmaline
Frequently asked questions
What is Tourmaline?
A family of related minerals that comes in more colors than almost any other gem. It can become electrically charged when heated or squeezed.
What month is Tourmaline the birthstone for?
October. It shares the month with Opal.
How hard is Tourmaline?
7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. Toughness: fair.
How do you clean Tourmaline?
Warm soapy water: safe (the best method). Ultrasonic cleaner: not recommended. Steam: not recommended.
Sources
- GIA: Tourmaline care and cleaning (hardness, toughness, stability, cleaning, treatments)
- AGS: Tourmaline (what it is, colors, sources, history)
- American Gem Society: Birthstones (birthstone months)
Checked October 16, 2026.