Confusingly, the name rubellite conjures images of rubies. However, this striking pink to purplish red transparent gemstone has an entirely different crystal system. Rubellite is in fact the pink to red variety of tourmaline. Only the most saturated and impressive pink and red tourmalines, however, are classified as rubellite.
The name rubellite is derived from the Latin ‘rubellus’ for reddish and the Greek ‘lithos’ for stone. The colour of the stone is due to the presence manganese within the crystal structure. Rubellite has been found in Brazil, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Mozambique, Madagascar and the USA.
