Because tourmaline is found in a wide range of colors, the gemstone trade generally does not use separate names for the gem’s individual varieties. Rather, the color is added to the beginning of the name, such as green tourmaline or pink tourmaline. However, there is a very special exception to this rule when it comes to the select tourmaline called rubellite. Famous for its exquisite reddish-pinkish-purple color, rubellite is a tourmaline that is well-known for representing the joy of life and the passion of seduction. With a name derived from the Latin term “rubellus,” which means “reddish,” this exceptionally beautiful gemstone features a unique characteristic. Its color remains consistent in daylight and artificial light. While many gemstones change their color depending on the source of light, rubellite never changes. In contrast, the color of most other pink and red tourmalines shows a noticeable brownish hue in artificial light. But rubellite’s perfect reddish-pink color stays brilliant, making it a gorgeous anomaly in the gemstone world. The majority of the stones are found in Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria and Pakistan, but some beautiful pink rubellites have recently been discovered in the United States.
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