Natural tourmalines in Malaysia

About the stone

Tourmaline is one of the most colour-diverse gemstone families in nature, appearing in virtually every colour of the spectrum, often within a single crystal. This versatility, combined with excellent hardness and brilliance, makes tourmaline a favourite of gem collectors and jewellery designers worldwide.

The most prized variety is Paraiba tourmaline, a copper-bearing stone from Brazil (and latterly Nigeria and Mozambique) with a vivid neon blue-green colour that appears to glow from within. Fine Paraiba commands prices comparable to the rarest sapphires and rubies. Other prized varieties include chrome tourmaline (rich, forest green from East Africa), rubellite (vivid red-pink from Nigeria), indicolite (deep blue), and bi-colour or “watermelon” tourmalines displaying multiple colours in a single stone.

How to choose a tourmaline

Colour saturation. Whether you choose blue, green, pink, red or something in between, the most valuable tourmalines have pure, vivid colour without grey or brown modifiers.

Know the variety. Paraiba tourmaline, chrome tourmaline and fine rubellite are investment-grade; standard pink and green tourmalines are more accessible. Naming matters: “Paraiba” on a gemological certificate carries significant weight and value.

Clarity. Tourmalines vary considerably in clarity by variety. Paraiba and rubellite often have inclusions; chrome tourmaline typically has fewer. Eye-clean stones of any variety are more desirable.

Treatment disclosure. Heat treatment and irradiation must be disclosed. Our lab tests and documents all treatments.

Tourmalines at Safir

We carry natural, certified tourmalines across the spectrum, from vivid chrome and rubellite to rare copper-bearing Paraiba. Each stone is assessed in our in-house gemological lab. Available loose for collectors or set into bespoke jewellery.