# Tourmaline

> Tourmaline is a family of gems in every color (7-7.5 on Mohs), with varieties such as watermelon and Paraíba; it is the October birthstone.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/tourmaline/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-08-23
- Updated: 2026-08-23
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/turmalina/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

---

Tourmaline is not one stone but a mineral family with an almost endless color range: pink, green, blue, black, colorless and bicolor. It is the October birthstone together with opal.

## Properties

- **Composition:** complex borosilicate of aluminum and other metals.
- **Hardness:** 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale.
- **Color:** every color; watermelon (pink and green), rubellite (pink to red), indicolite (blue) and Paraíba (neon blue) are famous.
- **Origins:** Brazil, Mozambique, Nigeria, Afghanistan and the USA.
- **Treatments:** some are heated or irradiated.

## Uses in jewelry

- Colorful rings, earrings and pendants.
- Cabochons and faceted cuts.
- Studio jewelry.

## Pros and cons

### Advantages

- A huge variety of colors.
- Hard enough for everyday wear.
- Prices vary widely.

### Limitations

- Varieties such as Paraíba are very expensive.
- Some are fragile because of internal fractures.
- Attracts dust when heated (pyroelectricity).

## Care and cleaning

- Clean with lukewarm water and mild soap.
- Avoid sudden temperature changes.
- Check for fractures before using ultrasonic.

## See also

- [Gemstones in jewelry](https://www.711grados.com/en/gemstones-in-jewelry/)
- [Amethyst](https://www.711grados.com/en/amethyst/)
- [Aquamarine](https://www.711grados.com/en/aquamarine/)