Tourmaline Jewelry in Bangkok

Tourmaline comes in more colors than any other gemstone: pink, red, green, blue, yellow, and even two or three colors in one stone. Pink tourmaline is the October birthstone and one of the stones our customers choose most, especially beside a name in Thai letters. We set natural tourmaline in 925 sterling silver and solid gold at our studio on Sukhumvit 71, Bangkok.

This page covers what tourmaline is, the colors and their names, how to wear and care for it, what makes a good stone, how to see the stones at our shop, and how to order in Bangkok or anywhere in Thailand.

What tourmaline is

Tourmaline is not one mineral but a family of closely related ones that share the same crystal structure. Small changes in what the crystal holds, a little manganese, iron, chromium or copper, give each stone its color. That is why one family can be pink, green and blue, and why a single crystal can change color from one end to the other.

The name comes from the Sinhalese word “turmali”, used in Sri Lanka for mixed colored stones. For centuries tourmaline was confused with other gems: many red stones in old royal collections, thought to be ruby, turned out to be tourmaline.

Every stone we set is natural, tourmaline included. Some tourmaline is gently heated or irradiated to even out the color. Both treatments are common and stable, and if a stone has had any treatment we tell you before you order.

Tourmaline facts at a glance

• Birthstone: October, alongside opal
• Color: almost every color, often two in one stone
• Hardness: 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale
• Treatment: sometimes heated or irradiated; we always tell you
• Best for: rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets
• Care: warm soapy water and a soft brush; no ultrasonic or steam cleaners
• Price: depends on the quality and carat you choose; we quote before you order

Tourmaline colors and their names

Pink tourmaline is the classic October birthstone, from soft blush to bright bubblegum pink. It is the tourmaline in our stone pickers, listed as October (Tourmaline).

Rubellite is tourmaline at its deepest red-pink, a color that holds steady in any light. Read more in rubellite jewelry in Bangkok.

Green tourmaline runs from mint to forest green. The most vivid kind, colored by chromium, is called chrome tourmaline and rivals emerald.

Blue tourmaline, called indicolite, is uncommon and ranges from teal to deep blue. The rarest of all is Paraiba tourmaline, a glowing neon blue-green colored by copper, first found in Brazil in the 1980s.

Bicolor and tricolor tourmaline show two or three colors in one stone. Watermelon tourmaline, pink in the middle and green at the rim, is the favorite. We can source these; ask us for the stones we have.

How to wear and care for tourmaline

At 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, tourmaline is harder than everyday dust, so it keeps its shine in rings as well as pendants and earrings. Pink and red tourmaline often carry tiny natural inclusions, so treat a tourmaline ring kindly: take it off for the gym, heavy lifting and gardening.

Clean it in warm soapy water with a soft brush, then rinse and dry. Keep it away from ultrasonic and steam cleaners and sudden heat. Tourmaline builds a tiny electric charge when warmed or rubbed; Dutch traders once used warm tourmaline to pull ash out of their pipes. So a stone that sits in the sun may gather dust, and a quick wipe brings the sparkle back. If it ever needs a polish or a check of the setting, bring it to our shop. Maintenance is free on jewelry we made.

What makes a good tourmaline

Color matters most. A good tourmaline has a clear, lively color with no gray or brown. For pink, the brighter and purer the pink, the more it is worth.

Clarity depends on the color. Green and blue tourmaline is often clean to the eye, while pink and red usually shows some inclusions, which the trade accepts. A good stone looks bright, without cracks that reach the surface.

Cut matters more than with most stones. Tourmaline shows a darker color along the length of the crystal, so a skilled cutter turns it to show its best color from the top.

Size deepens the color. Small pink tourmaline looks soft and light; a larger stone shows a richer pink.

Where tourmaline comes from

Brazil is the most famous source, above all the state of Minas Gerais, followed by Nigeria, Mozambique, Madagascar, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. In the United States, Maine and California have produced fine pink and green tourmaline; California pink tourmaline was a favorite of the last empress of China. If you want to know the origin of a particular stone, ask us: we offer certified stones, and an uncertified stone can be sent to a gem lab for a report at extra cost.

The October birthstone

Tourmaline and opal are the two birthstones for October, and tourmaline is the easier of the two to wear every day. It is a popular pick for a child born in October, a partner’s birthday, or one of the stones in a family ring where each person gets their own month. Our birthstone chart shows all twelve months.

See tourmaline at our shop in Bangkok

Part of the pleasure with tourmaline is the range: pink runs from soft blush to bubblegum, and a larger stone shows a richer pink than a small one. Ask for tourmaline as you make the appointment, and more pink stones go on the tray for you, plus green, blue or two-color stones on request.

Walk in any time we are open, or book ahead so Yaron is there to help with the stone, the design and the metal, from 925 silver and gold plating to solid 9K, 14K or 18K gold.

A loose pink tourmaline is an October birthstone you can give just as it is. Buy the stone alone, with no jewelry order needed, and if you would like a piece made, we would be very happy to make it.

Not in Bangkok? Message us and we will send photos and prices of the tourmaline we have.

Tourmaline questions we get

Is your tourmaline natural?

Yes. Every gemstone we set is natural, tourmaline included. Some tourmaline is heated or irradiated to even out the color, and we tell you before you order if a stone has been treated. We are a member of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association.

What color is the October birthstone?

Pink tourmaline is the October birthstone, together with opal. In our stone pickers it is listed as October (Tourmaline).

Can I wear a tourmaline ring every day?

Yes. Tourmaline is 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, so it handles daily wear well. Take it off for the gym and heavy work, and keep it away from ultrasonic cleaners.

Can I get green or blue tourmaline?

Yes. Pink tourmaline is the one most people ask for, and we can source green, blue and two-color stones. Tell us the color when you book an appointment and Yaron prepares those stones for you, and we confirm the stone and price before we make your piece.

How much does tourmaline jewelry cost at Colors by Love?

It depends on the quality and carat of the stone you choose, and on the metal. We give you the price before anything is made.

Can I buy just the stone?

Yes. Choose a tourmaline in the color you love and buy it loose. If you later want it beside a name in Thai letters, we are happy to set it then, or straight away.

How long does a tourmaline piece take?

7 to 10 working days after you order, then 1 to 3 working days for delivery inside Thailand. We also ship abroad by FedEx.

Every tourmaline piece is made to order by our team in Bangkok in 925 sterling silver or solid gold, with a 3-year warranty, free maintenance and free shipping across Thailand.