A Gem of Many Colours
Among the great treasures of the gem world, few captivate quite like tourmaline. Known for its extraordinary colour range — from vivid pinks and emerald greens to the electrifying blue of Paraíba — this gemstone embodies the beauty of diversity. Each hue tells a story, revealing the unique chemistry and light within nature’s palette.
At Prins & Prins Diamonds in Cape Town, tourmaline holds a special place within our Gemstone Jewellery collection. Carefully sourced and masterfully cut, each gem reflects both geological wonder and the refined craftsmanship that defines our heritage.
What Makes Tourmaline So Unique
Tourmaline is a complex boron silicate mineral with traces of elements such as iron, manganese, and copper — each responsible for its astonishing variety of colours. It is one of the few gemstones found in nearly every shade of the rainbow, sometimes even within a single crystal.
Unlike many gems, tourmaline exhibits pleochroism — the ability to show different colours when viewed from different angles. This natural optical phenomenon makes each cut both a challenge and an opportunity for the gemmologist. The result is a jewel that is alive with shifting hues, a constant play of light and depth.
Rubellite — The Passionate Red
Among the most beloved varieties of tourmaline, Rubellite glows with rich shades of red and deep pink. Its vibrant tones, often likened to ruby, carry an energy that feels warm and powerful. Yet unlike ruby’s often opaque intensity, Rubellite seems illuminated from within — a radiant glow that symbolises love, passion, and emotional balance.
In Cape Town, a city known for its sunsets, fine wine, and romance, Rubellite resonates beautifully with the local spirit. Its depth of colour and emotional symbolism make it a favourite for bespoke rings and pendants, blending meaning with unmistakable luxury.
Green Tourmaline — The Essence of Nature
Green tourmaline, or verdelite, reflects the essence of renewal and vitality. Found in hues ranging from soft moss to deep forest, this variety embodies the richness of nature itself. Its colour can shift from cool bluish-greens to warmer olive tones depending on the presence of trace elements like iron or chromium.
Symbolically, green tourmaline is associated with growth, balance, and rejuvenation — qualities that harmonise perfectly with South Africa’s natural landscapes. Within Gemstone Jewellery, it is often paired with yellow gold or platinum to enhance its vibrancy, creating designs that feel both timeless and contemporary.
Paraíba Tourmaline — The Electric Treasure
Few gemstones have captured global fascination quite like Paraíba tourmaline. Its neon blue and green hues, almost lit from within, are the result of copper — a rare element in tourmaline’s chemistry. First discovered in Paraíba, Brazil, in the 1980s, this variety is now also found in Mozambique and Nigeria, though still in extremely limited quantities.
Paraíba tourmalines are prized for their unrivalled luminosity. Under daylight, they seem to glow — an optical effect that makes them among the most valuable coloured gemstones in the world. To see one in person is to understand why collectors and designers consider it the pinnacle of tourmaline’s spectrum.
For those who value rarity and brilliance, Paraíba represents the perfect fusion of science, art, and natural wonder.
Other Notable Colours — From Canary to Watermelon
While Rubellite, green, and Paraíba tourmalines often take centre stage, the gem family includes a kaleidoscope of other enchanting varieties:
- Canary yellow tourmaline — bright and joyful, symbolising creativity and optimism.
- Indicolite — a tranquil blue variety reminiscent of the ocean, rare and highly sought-after.
- Achroite — a near-colourless tourmaline valued for its purity.
- Watermelon tourmaline — a natural bi-colour crystal showing pink at the core and green at the rim, resembling a slice of fruit. Each is cut to reveal this organic pattern, a natural masterpiece crafted by time itself.
This diversity has made tourmaline a favourite among designers seeking to celebrate individuality and personal meaning.
The Role of Light and Cut in Revealing Colour
Tourmaline’s beauty depends greatly on how it interacts with light. Because it can display multiple colours from different angles, the skill of the gem cutter becomes crucial.
Orienting the crystal correctly enhances saturation and balance, ensuring that the dominant hue is vibrant and consistent.
At Prins & Prins Diamonds, every gem is cut and polished with precision to bring out its full radiance. Whether it’s a soft pastel pink or a striking Paraíba blue, the final result reveals not only colour — but life within the gem.
Why Collectors and Designers Adore Tourmaline
Tourmaline’s appeal lies in its blend of beauty, durability, and individuality. With a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, it is ideal for both everyday wear and heirloom creations. No two gems are ever alike, giving each jewel its own signature identity.
Designers prize tourmaline for its adaptability — it works equally well in modern minimalist settings and ornate vintage styles. Its broad palette also allows jewellers to create custom combinations that evoke specific moods or themes, from romantic pinks to oceanic blues and earthy greens.
A Legacy in Colour — The Prins & Prins Perspective
For more than four decades, Prins & Prins Diamonds has celebrated the art of fine gemstone curation in Cape Town. Each tourmaline is selected for its authenticity, colour integrity, and natural character — then set by master goldsmiths within our heritage workshop at Huguenot House.
To us, sustainability begins with respect: for nature, for craftsmanship, and for heritage. Tourmaline embodies all three — a gem that speaks of the earth’s creative power, refined through human artistry into wearable beauty.
We invite you to explore this remarkable gemstone in person. From the glowing warmth of Rubellite to the electric brilliance of Paraíba, discover a spectrum of colour and emotion that few gems can rival.
Visit the Gemstone Jewellery collection at Prins & Prins Diamonds — where every jewel tells a story, and every colour reflects a world within.
