What's That Rock?Tourmaline
A group of boron silicate minerals found in nearly every color. Its long crystals have lines running along their length.
How to identify Tourmaline
- Long, rounded-triangular crystals with lengthwise grooves
- Often two colors in one crystal (pink with green)
- Black schorl is very common in granite
Often confused with
- Hornblende
- Black glass
- Beryl
- Epidote
Real or fake?
- Natural stones show tiny fluid or tube-like inclusions; fully flawless bright colors may be treated or synthetic
Is Tourmaline valuable?
Black tourmaline is inexpensive. Gem-quality pink or blue stones cost much more.
Typical retail prices
Rare 'Paraíba' blue tourmaline costs thousands of dollars per carat.
Typical retail ranges in US dollars, compiled from public dealer and marketplace listings in October 2026. Real prices vary widely with quality, size and origin. This is general information, not an appraisal.
What changes the price
- Color: vivid pink, green, blue ('indicolite') and the neon-blue 'Paraíba' types vary enormously, with Paraíba costing many thousands per carat
- Two-color crystals: pink-and-green 'watermelon' stones cost more than a single color
- Clarity: eye-clean stones are valued; 'schorl' (black) is common and cheap
- Origin and size: fine stones from Brazil, Mozambique and Afghanistan command premiums
Uses
- Jewelry
- Specimens
Care
Generally durable. Avoid sudden temperature changes and strong ultrasonic cleaning on included stones.
Identifying a stone from a description or a photo is an estimate. Many stones look alike. Ask an expert or a gem lab before you buy, sell or rely on an identification.
Updated October 2026