Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a family of complex boron silicates that occurs in a wider range of colours than any other gemstone, from colourless through pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet to black, often with two or more colours in a single crystal. Several of its members trade as named products in their own right, including the copper bearing Paraiba type material, the chromium and vanadium coloured chrome tourmaline, the red rubellite, the green verdelite, the blue indicolite and the concentrically zoned watermelon crystals. It is used across fine, designer and commercial jewellery, in carvings and collector specimens, and its pyroelectric and piezoelectric behaviour also gives it technical uses.
Listed tourmaline markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Grades
Tourmaline is bought first on colour and on which species or trade variety the material is, because the copper bearing and chromium coloured material trade in an entirely different range from the ordinary colours. The species, the colour, the clarity and the treatment disclosure are the terms the price is agreed against.
Species, variety and identification
8 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| SpeciesNamed, within the tourmaline group | Elbaite, liddicoatite, dravite, uvite, schorl and the other members of the group. The species is a chemical determination, not a colour name. |
| Trade variety nameDeclared, where used | Rubellite, indicolite, verdelite, chrome tourmaline, watermelon, achroite and the Paraiba type designation. Each is a trade name attached to a colour or a chemistry, and its use is governed by the nomenclature standard. |
| Copper bearing designationDeclared, where claimed, and supported by a laboratory report with the chemistry | The Paraiba type designation depends on copper and manganese being present in the chemistry. It is only used where a laboratory has confirmed it, because the premium is very large. |
| Refractive indexReported, with the birefringence | Measured on a refractometer, separating tourmaline from the species it resembles in each of its colours. |
| Specific gravityReported | Measured hydrostatically, confirming the species. |
| HardnessReported on the Mohs scale | Sufficient for everyday wear across the group. |
| Optical characterDoubly refractive, uniaxial negative | With the strength of the doubling noted. |
| PleochroismDeclared, as the two observed colours | Tourmaline is strongly dichroic, and the darker direction runs along the length of the crystal, which is why long crystals are cut with the table parallel to the length. |
Colour
7 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Colour groupDeclared, as the named colour or colours | Pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, brown, black, colourless and the multicoloured material. Each group trades separately. |
| HueDescribed, with the primary and any secondary hue named | The modifier is as commercially significant as the primary hue, particularly in the blues and greens. |
| ToneDescribed, from light to dark | Tourmaline runs dark in many of its colours, so tone is a central term. Very dark material is cut shallow to open it up. |
| SaturationDescribed, from weak to vivid | The dominant value term, and the reason the copper bearing material commands what it does. |
| Colour zoningDescribed, as bicolour, tricolour, concentric or absent | Bicolour and watermelon crystals are a separate product sold on the arrangement of the colours rather than on a single hue. |
| Directional colourDescribed | How the face up colour changes with the orientation of the strongly dichroic crystal, which is a cutting instruction. |
| Lighting conditionDeclared | Assessed under daylight equivalent lighting, with the incandescent appearance noted. |
Clarity and inclusions
6 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Clarity typeType three for the pink and red material, type two for most other colours, under the standard clarity classification | Rubellite is expected to be included and is graded against that expectation. Most other colours are expected cleaner. |
| Inclusion suiteDescribed | Liquid filled tubes, trichites, fingerprints, growth tubes and needles, which also form the evidence in a laboratory origin opinion. |
| Growth tubesDescribed, by density and orientation | Tubes running along the length of the crystal, which can be filled, which affect durability, and which produce a cat eye when dense enough. |
| Eye clean assessmentDeclared, at the stated viewing distance | The working commercial threshold, applied against the expectation for the colour. |
| FracturesDescribed, by position and reach | Surface reaching breaks, as a durability and a filling term. |
| TransparencyDescribed, from transparent to translucent | Faceting, cat eye cabochon and carving material are separate products. |
Rough form, size and yield
6 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Rough weightCarats or grams, per piece and per parcel | Weighed on a calibrated balance. |
| DimensionsMillimetres, length by width by depth | Measured on the crystal or preform. Tourmaline grows in long prisms, so length drives what shapes the piece can yield. |
| Estimated yieldPercentage of rough weight, declared as an assessment | An opinion rather than a warranty, taking the orientation for colour into account. |
| Shape and formDeclared, as prismatic crystal, water worn pebble, cobbed piece, slice or preform | Pegmatite crystals, alluvial pebbles and sliced watermelon sections each work differently. |
| OrientationDeclared | Where the table sits relative to the long axis, which in a strongly dichroic species decides whether the stone reads open or closed. |
| Size distributionDeclared, as the count within each stated weight band | For a sorted parcel, the distribution across sizes. |
Treatment and disclosure
6 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Heat treatmentDisclosed, as heated or unheated | Heating lightens dark material and shifts some colours. It is permanent and widely applied, particularly in the copper bearing and the rubellite material. |
| IrradiationDisclosed | Irradiation used to deepen pink and red. It is permanent under normal conditions and is disclosed in every case. |
| Fracture and tube fillingDisclosed, with the filler identified | Resin, oil or glass in fractures and in the growth tubes, with the extent stated. Filling is common in rubellite because of how included the material is. |
| Coating and surface treatmentDisclosed | Any applied layer, with its coverage and durability. |
| Synthetic and imitation screeningDeclared, against the named laboratory method | Separation from glass, from assembled stones and from other species sold under a tourmaline trade name. |
| Disclosure recordDocument, per stone or per parcel | The written treatment disclosure on the invoice and with the parcel. |
Parcel, documentation and settlement
9 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Parcel compositionDeclared, by piece count and total carat weight | What is actually in the lot. A rough parcel is sold as a parcel, so the count, the weight and the size distribution are the contract. |
| Weight basisCarats, to the stated decimal place | Weighed on a calibrated balance, with the weighing certificate and the tolerance named. |
| Sealing and markingDeclared | Parcels sealed in the presence of both parties or their agents, numbered and photographed, so the goods that arrive are the goods that were inspected. |
| Laboratory reportDocument, per stone or per parcel | Issued by a named laboratory operating to the international testing competence standard, covering species, treatment and, where commissioned, origin. |
| Origin determinationDeclared, where commissioned | A laboratory origin opinion is an opinion based on inclusion suites and trace element chemistry. It is stated as such and never as a guarantee. |
| Export and import documentationDeclared | Export permit or certificate from the producing country, customs classification under the harmonized system, and any royalty or clearance certificate the origin requires. |
| Responsible sourcingDeclared | Mine or source, chain of custody, and the due diligence statement, including artisanal and small scale mining status where it applies. |
| Viewing and rejectionDeclared | Where and when the buyer may view, the memo or consignment terms if any, and the window and grounds for rejection after the laboratory report. |
| Insurance and carriageDeclared | Valuation for transit, the specialist carrier or secure courier named, and the point at which risk passes. |
Grades outside this list trade on request. Send us the contract specification you work to and we will price against it.
Locations
| Country | Region | We trade it as |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | South America | Origin and destination |
| Mozambique | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Nigeria | West Africa | Origin and destination |
| Madagascar | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Tanzania | East Africa | Origin and destination |
| Kenya | East Africa | Origin and destination |
| Zambia | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Malawi | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Ethiopia | East Africa | Origin and destination |
| Namibia | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Afghanistan | Central Asia | Origin and destination |
| Pakistan | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| Sri Lanka | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| Myanmar | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Viet Nam | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| China | East Asia | Cutting centre and destination |
| United States | North America | Origin and destination |
| Canada | North America | Origin and destination |
| Russian Federation | Eurasia | Origin and destination |
| Tajikistan | Central Asia | Origin and destination |
| Nepal | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| India | South Asia | Cutting and trading centre |
| Thailand | Southeast Asia | Cutting, treatment and trading centre |
| Israel | Middle East | Cutting and trading centre |
| United Arab Emirates | Middle East | Trading hub and free zone |
| Switzerland | Europe | Trading, laboratory and vaulting centre |
| Belgium | Europe | Trading centre |
| Germany | Europe | Cutting centre and destination |
| United Kingdom | Europe | Trading centre and destination |
| France | Europe | Destination |
| Italy | Europe | Destination |
| Spain | Europe | Destination |
| Hong Kong | East Asia | Trading centre |
| Singapore | Southeast Asia | Trading and finance |
| Japan | East Asia | Destination |
| Republic of Korea | East Asia | Destination |
| Turkey | Western Asia | Origin and destination |
| Australia | Oceania | Origin and destination |
Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown here.
Timing
Production is when the stone comes out of the ground at origin, which follows the mining season, the water level at an alluvial working and the rhythm of artisanal digging rather than a crop calendar. Arrival is when material from that origin typically reaches a cutting or trading centre. The gap between them is sorting, export clearance and the journey to the market.
HarvestArrival
| Origin | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecThe classic source across every colour, from the Minas Gerais pegmatites, and the origin of the Paraiba and Rio Grande do Norte copper bearing material. Shipping year round. |
| Mozambique | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest May to Oct, arrival Jul to DecA major modern source, including copper bearing material from the Alto Ligonha pegmatites, weighted to the dry season. | ||||
| Nigeria | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Oct to Apr, arrival Dec to JunCopper bearing and conventional pegmatite material from the Oyo and Ilorin areas, worked through the dry months. | |||
| Madagascar | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Apr to Oct, arrival Jun to DecBroad pegmatite production including liddicoatite and multicoloured crystals, accessible in the dry season. | |||
| Tanzania | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jun to Nov, arrival Aug to JanChrome tourmaline from the Umba and Landanai areas, alongside conventional colours, weighted to the dry months. | ||||
| Kenya | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jun to Nov, arrival Aug to JanChrome and green tourmaline from the Voi and Taita areas. | ||||
| Afghanistan | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest May to Sep, arrival Jul to NovNuristan and Kunar pegmatite material, moving overland once the passes open. | |||||
| Pakistan | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest May to Sep, arrival Jul to NovGilgit and Chitral pegmatite production at altitude, limited by the season. | |||||
| Sri Lanka | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecAlluvial gem gravels producing brown, yellow and green material year round. |
| United States | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Harvest May to Oct, arrival Jun to NovCalifornia and Maine pegmatite production, historically important for pink material, with a working season limited by winter. |
Windows outside this pattern trade on request, including forward commitments against a mine run, parcels already sitting in a cutting centre, and material held in a free trade zone or bonded vault.
Customs, packing and contract terms
Indicative terms for tourmaline. Tariff classification is the importer’s responsibility and limits change, so confirm both against the destination customs authority and the current regulation before you fix a contract.
- HS heading7103.10 Precious and semi-precious stones, unworked or simply sawn or roughly shaped
7103.99 Semi-precious stones, otherwise worked - PackingSealed and numbered parcels under a valuation certificate. Never containerised.
- Container loadingNot containerised. Moves by insured secure courier or hand carry against a declared valuation, with customs presentation at both ends.
- Contract and arbitrationCIBJO Blue Book nomenclature, with a GIA, Gubelin or SSEF report where the value warrants it. Sale on viewed and approved parcel terms with weight and treatment disclosure. Arbitration under the rules of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses or the ICC.
- Destination limitsOrigin declaration and OECD due diligence for minerals from conflict affected and high risk areas, US OFAC sanctions on Burmese ruby and jade under the JADE Act, anti money laundering registration and reporting for dealers in precious stones, and full disclosure of heat, diffusion, fracture filling and any other treatment.
Common questions
What grades of tourmaline does SIP Global trade?
We quote 42 published grades of tourmaline, including Species - Named, within the tourmaline group, Trade variety name - Declared, where used, Copper bearing designation - Declared, where claimed, and supported by a laboratory report with the chemistry, Refractive index - Reported, with the birefringence, Specific gravity - Reported and Hardness - Reported on the Mohs scale. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is tourmaline graded?
Tourmaline is bought first on colour and on which species or trade variety the material is, because the copper bearing and chromium coloured material trade in an entirely different range from the ordinary colours. The species, the colour, the clarity and the treatment disclosure are the terms the price is agreed against. Grading runs on 6 systems: Species, variety and identification, Colour, Clarity and inclusions, Rough form, size and yield, Treatment and disclosure and Parcel, documentation and settlement.
Where does SIP Global trade tourmaline?
We trade tourmaline in Brazil, Mozambique, Nigeria, Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia and Malawi and 30 further markets. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is tourmaline harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are Brazil: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Mozambique: harvest may to oct, arrival jul to dec; Nigeria: harvest oct to apr, arrival dec to jun; Madagascar: harvest apr to oct, arrival jun to dec; Tanzania: harvest jun to nov, arrival aug to jan. Harvest is when the lot is taken at origin, arrival is when a shipment from that origin lands in a consuming market. Windows outside this pattern, including carry, trade on request.
What is the HS code for tourmaline?
Tourmaline is normally classified under HS 7103.10 (precious and semi-precious stones, unworked or simply sawn or roughly shaped) and HS 7103.99 (semi-precious stones, otherwise worked). The heading follows the form the goods are in at the border, and national tariffs extend it beyond six digits, so confirm the full line with the destination customs authority before you fix a contract.
How do I get a price for tourmaline?
Send the grade, the origin and the delivery window to the SIP Global desk. That is enough for a trader to come back with a level and a settlement route. 1 listed tourmaline market is published on this page, each with its full specification and terms. We take both sides, physical and financial, prompt to long dated.
Standards and data sources
The grading language on this sheet follows published standards. Trade volumes and tariff lines are public record. Verify anything here against the source.
- UN ComtradeOfficial international trade statistics by HS code
- ITC Trade MapBilateral trade flows and tariff data
- FAOSTATFAO production and trade series for agricultural commodities
Price this with our desk
Grade, origin and window if you have them. If what you are carrying does not fit the sheet above, describe it in your own words and a trader will take it from there.