Celebrated for its extraordinary spectrum of colours and remarkable natural beauty, tourmaline has become a signature feature in many of our jewellery collections. From vivid greens and ocean blues to vibrant pinks and even bi-coloured varieties, tourmaline displays a kaleidoscope of colour unlike almost any other gemstone.
Ranking between 7 and 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, tourmaline also offers excellent durability for everyday wear while maintaining a beautiful vitreous lustre. This combination of beauty, versatility and durability makes tourmaline a favourite among jewellery designers and gemstone enthusiasts alike. We asked a few of our experts what they love most about tourmaline, and why this fascinating gemstone continues to be a favourite in our designs.
Aura Green Tourmaline & Diamond Cocktail Ring | Gerard McCabe
Tourmaline's story is as colourful as the gemstone itself. Derived from the Sinhalese word toramalli, meaning "mixed gems", the term was used by Dutch merchants to describe the colourful pebbles found in the gem gravels of Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka.
As one of October's birthstones alongside opal, and the traditional gemstone for an eighth wedding anniversary, tourmaline has also been associated with creativity, inspiration and emotional wellbeing. Ancient mystics believed the gemstone could encourage artistic expression and stimulate the imagination.
Different colours of tourmaline have traditionally been linked to their own symbolic meanings: for example, pink tourmaline symbolises love, compassion and emotional healing, whereas green tourmaline is associated with courage, strength and vitality.
Shop Tourmaline Gemstone Jewellery | Gerard McCabe
Few gemstones can rival tourmaline when it comes to colour. In fact, tourmaline boasts one of the broadest colour ranges of any gemstone species, occurring in virtually every hue imaginable. From delicate pastel pinks and vibrant reds to lush greens, electric blues and rich golden tones, tourmaline offers an extraordinary palette for jewellery designers and collectors alike.
“I love tourmalines. They have such a beautiful colour range, from really dark green (nearly black) to almost colourless,” says our Production and Design Manager Jackie.
Tourmaline can also display multiple colours simultaneously, creating spectacular natural colour transitions. An example of this variety is the fascinating watermelon tourmaline, named after its natural display of pink and green within a single crystal.
Tourmalines also possess a fascinating optical property. “They are known for their strong pleochroism, which means the colour varies depending on the angle you are looking at it from,” Jackie explains. “For example, in our recently released Tiara Cushion Cut Tourmaline Ring, you can see that it has a beautiful seafoam colour and a gorgeous lime/grass green colour as you move the stone.”
Among the most sought-after colours are rubellite tourmalines, admired for their vivid pink and red hues, chrome tourmalines with their rich emerald-green tones, and the exceptionally rare Paraíba tourmalines, renowned for their neon blue, green and violet colours.
Admiring their spectrum of colours, from grassy tones to deep watermelon hues, Jackie remarks that tourmaline’s striking colours are unlike any other gemstone. “Add gold and diamonds, and you have a truly unique statement piece." Wise words indeed!
Aura Pink Tourmaline & Diamond Cocktail Ring | Gerard McCabe
“All tourmalines are beautiful, but green tourmalines are a personal favourite,” says Jackie. Although tourmaline can be found in almost every colour imaginable, green and blue-green varieties remain among the most popular choices in fine jewellery today. Their vibrant tones feature prominently throughout our Capri collection, where carefully selected tourmalines evoke the colours of the Mediterranean coastline.
Inspired by destinations where land and sea meet in a spectacular display of colour, Capri celebrates the beauty of natural gemstones through carefully curated pink and green tourmalines paired with brilliant white diamonds and handcrafted precious metals. Each piece showcases the individuality of the gemstone, ensuring no two designs are exactly alike.
Capri Pink Tourmaline and Diamond Necklace | Gerard McCabe
At Gerard McCabe, we pride ourselves on hand-selecting only the finest natural gemstones for our jewellery collections. Tourmaline continues to play an important role in many of our designs, including pieces within our Capri collection. Inspired by the sun-drenched Mediterranean coastline, Capri celebrates the beauty of colour through carefully curated aquamarine and tourmaline gemstones.
We invite you to explore our collection of tourmaline and natural gemstone jewellery online or visit us in-store at our Adelaide Arcade and Rundle Mall Plaza boutiques to discover the beauty of these extraordinary gemstones for yourself.