Tourmaline Pricing Guide For Buyers and Sellers

Here is the current Tourmaline pricing guide for buyers and sellers. Feel free to use this as a point of reference when valuing varieties of Tourmaline.

As prices for Tourmaline change, I’ll update this page with the new prices I see at the local gem and mineral shows plus I’ll be going to the Tucson Gem and Mineral show to ensure the pricing is as accurate as possible.

There are three types of Tourmaline you’ll be purchasing if you choose to. The first type will be specimens. For the most part, specimens can bring a high value but it is predicated upon how unique the piece is and what condition it is in. If the crystals are broken or chipped then the value is diminished.

The second type will be facet rough. Higher quality rough can be difficult to source but it is available. In general, most of this material is sold by the gram. If you’re purchasing facet rough then focus on the pieces with the best color and shape.

The third type will be faceted gemstones and this is where the value lies in Tourmaline. Large stones with a high clarity score will bring a premium to smaller stones. You want to focus on stones with ultra-bright colors, almost vivid.  Make sure the stones are at least eye-clean.

 

 

 

How to determine Price and Cost

When determining the value of the gemstone you will be using GIA guidelines which means color, clarity, carat weight, and cut.  You’ll want to look at each one of these individually and then circle back when finished to evaluate the stone as a whole.

Color is going to be the most important factor when determining the value of gemstones.  Clarity and carat weight are tied for the second most important factor.

Before you go any further you need to ensure you have identified Tourmaline correctly.

 

 

 

Color – The more intense the color the more valuable the stone is.  When dealing with warm colors, think of red and orange, you’ll want to determine if there are brown undertones.  If you can’t see brown undertones then the color should be very vibrant.  The more vibrant and saturated the color the more expensive the gemstone.  If the gemstone has a unique “neon-like glow” then it will demand the highest price per carat.

 

Clarity – Buyers and collectors prefer stones with no internal inclusions visible to the eye. To determine the clarity ranking you’ll need at a minimum a 10x loop and a higher-powered microscope to confirm internally flawless and flawless designations.

If you can visibly see the inclusion while holding the gemstone then the highest designation would be SI1 and if the inclusion detracts from the overall beauty of the stone then the clarity designation would be I1 – I3.

Clarity designations – FL, IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, I1, I2, I3

 

 

Carat – Tourmaline can be found in sizes ranging from below 1 carat to above 10 carat or more.  Generally speaking, Tourmaline can be sourced in most carat weights. The larger stones will bring more money per carat. Extremely rare stones like Paraiba will bring ultra-premium prices for small or large stones.

 

 

Cut – It is sad to say but cut has the least impact on value and cost unless it affects the stone in an extreme way.  For example, when you look at the stone you would be able to see through it which means light is not being reflected back to the eye.  This is called a window in the stone and it would have to be quite large to impact the price.  The other extreme would occur when you look at a stone and see a rough circle or oval shape inside the stone.  This occurs when the stone is very shallow and it’s reflecting the rough girdle inside the stone.  Note: the girdle is the edge/side of the stone where the pavilion and crown meet.

 

 

 

Tourmaline Prices

These are fairly stable and dependent upon the quality of the stone. Poorly cut stones showcasing dark areas will always bring less money. The best stone will have a bright or vivid color when you look at it face up.

 

Faceted Green Tourmaline price per carat $45.00 – $1,500.00

• High-quality material only
• Single stones or matched pairs
• No black at the edge of the stone
• Green, yellow-green, bluish-green

 

 

 

Faceted Blue Tourmaline price per carat $75.00 – $3,200.00

• High-quality material only
• Single stones or matched pairs
• Limited amount of quality like these
• Bright blue with no dark edges

 

Faceted Yellow Tourmaline price per carat $60.00 – $500.00

• High-quality material only
• Single stones or matched pairs
• You don’t want to see grey or brown in the stone

 

Faceted Rubelite Tourmaline price per carat $50.00 – $900.00

• High-quality material only
• Single stones or matched pairs
• Limited amount of quality like these
• No brown undertones
• Brighter the red the more expensive per carat

 

Faceted Peach Tourmaline price per carat $50.00 – $150.00

• High-quality material only
• Single stones or matched pairs
• Mostly sourced from the Congo
• No grey or brown undertones

 

 

Tourmaline price per gram $1.00 – $3.00

• Rough material only
• More than likely you will buy in bulk
• Mostly tumbled pieces or low-quality rough

 

Tourmaline Facet Rough Prices $25.00 – $250.00

• Priced in grams and dependent on size
• Sold by the piece
• VS1 clarity or better will bring higher prices.
• Bright colors only.
• Here’s a tip, put the facet rough on a white sheet of paper. If it faces up bright then it is a higher quality material. If it is dark, lower quality.

 

 

 

How Valuable is Tourmaline?

Tourmaline is very popular among collectors and lapidary artists which puts a floor on the prices you see in the market. As new material is sourced and different colored material comes to market the prices can change based on supply. I’d recommend buying larger parcels when prices are depressed because the material will be completely mined out at some point and that is when you will see prices inflect higher.

Chrome Tourmaline is by far my favorite variety.

 

 

The cost of Tourmaline will not increase over time

Prices for high-quality faceted material will hold their value with a slightly positive drift higher. The rarest variety, Paraiba, will always bring crazy money and is a great investment.

If you’re not sure how to value a gemstone then you should consider a gemstone appraisal. Individuals acquiring gemstones through inheritance, estate sales, and auctions typically have the gemstone appraised to determine the value and to ensure the gem is what they think it is.