Rubellite gemstone

Physical properties of rubellite

Characteristics of rubellite

Rubellite (rubelite, elbaite, raspberry schorl) is a very beautiful gemstone, a variety of tourmaline.

Rubellite comes from the Latin word "rubella", which means "reddish". However, in addition to red stones, there are rubellites and purple, and pink, and dark red, and bright carmine. Rubellite is also known under another name - raspberry schorl.

Elbaite is considered the most valuable among the varieties of rubellite (the name is derived from the name of the Elba Island, where this gem was discovered).

The largest rubellite crystals are mined in Brazil. The largest rubellite crystal found to date is 100 by 40 cm. And some intergrown rubellite crystals weigh as much as 4 tons.

How much does rubellite cost

Rubellites are the most expensive of the tourmalines, excluding the rare and very expensive Paraiba tourmalines. And yet this gemstone is quite affordable - from 30 to 100 dollars per carat, depending on the quality and size of the stones.