Rubellite

Rubellite is the pink-to-red gem variety of elbaite, the lithium-rich, sodium-bearing member of the tourmaline group. Its warm colour is produced chiefly by traces of manganese, and the finest stones show an intense, slightly purplish red that has long made rubellite one of the most desirable of all tourmalines.

Properties and identification

Like all tourmalines it crystallises in the trigonal system, typically as elongated prisms with rounded-triangular cross-sections and strong lengthwise striations. It is hard (7–7.5), has no cleavage, and is strongly pleochroic. Unlike most coloured tourmalines, true rubellite holds its red under both daylight and incandescent light.

Occurrence

Rubellite forms in granitic pegmatites alongside lepidolite, quartz and other tourmalines. Classic sources include Brazil (Minas Gerais), Madagascar, Nigeria, Mozambique and California. It is closely related to the other elbaite gem varieties — indicolite (blue) and verdelite (green).