Rubellite
Elbaite (tourmaline)JewelryWiki Editorial·2 sources·Reviewed 2026-08-04
The pink-to-red tourmaline, and the only member of the group whose trade name is reserved for a colour rather than a chemistry. At Mohs 7–7½ it is hard enough for daily wear, and IGS lists no typical treatments — which sets it apart from most red stones at its price.
Properties
| Property | Value | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 7–7½ [1] | — |
| Specific gravity | 2.90 [2] | — |
| Chemical formula | Na(Al,Li)3Al6(BO3)3Si6O18(OH)4 Read from the species entry, Elbaite — the lithium-bearing tourmaline that rubellite belongs to. [2] | — |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal [2] | — |
| Common treatments | None listed by IGS for rubellite specifically. GIA notes tourmaline generally may be heated to lighten overly dark material, and records that claims of diffusion treatment in tourmaline have NOT been substantiated. [1] | — |
| Suitability for daily wear | Good. At 7–7½ it is genuinely suited to a ring, which is not true of most stones this colour at this price. [1] | — |
Sources
- International Gem Society — gemstone articles — International Gem Society (IGS, gemstone information articles (gemsociety.org))
- Handbook of Mineralogy — Mineral Data Publishing / Mineralogical Society of America (Handbook of Mineralogy, Mineral Data Publishing)