rubellite

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Rubellite & diamond split shank platinum ring

Variety:  Rubellite
Species:  Tourmaline
​​Mohs Hardness:  7 to 7.5 out of 10
Color:  Light pink through strongly saturated orangy red, pure red, purplish red to purple
RI:  1.624 to 1.644 (+/-0.005)
Birefringence:  Usually 0.018 to 0.020
SR/DR/AGG:  DR
Clarity Type:  Type III
Optic Character:  Uniaxial negative
Pleochroism:  Medium to strong, usually two tones of the gem's body color.
Spectrum:  Often not diagnostic
Fluorescence:  Varies.  Some pink stones may range from inert to weak red under LW and SW
SG:  3.06 (+0.20 / -0.06)
Routine Treatments:  None
Additional Enhancements:  Irradiation

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rubellite facts

Rubellite and diamond split shank platinum ring

​Rubellite is the pink to red variety of tourmaline.

Fine quality rubellite is sometimes mistaken for ruby.  As a matter of fact, the Russian Crown Jewel known as "Caesar's Ruby" was later determined to be a red tourmaline (rubellite) pendant, not ruby!

Fun Fact:  Tourmaline is both pyroelectric and piezoelectric, meaning it is a gem that becomes electrically charged when heated or squeezed!

Rubellite Gallery

All photos courtesy of Scott Papper, GIA GG, AJP, CMA (NAJA)