| Category: | Tourmaline |
| Color: | Red, pink, pinkish, violet-red |
Rubellite is the red or pink variety of tourmaline and is a member of elbaite. Rubellite is also the rarest gem in its family.[1] It is occasionally mistaken for ruby.[2] These gems typically contain inclusions.[3]
Notable countries where rubellite can be mined include Afghanistan, Brazil, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nigeria, Russia, and the United States.[3]
Rubellite is named after the Latin word, meaning "reddish".[1] The word rubellite was first used in the year 1794.[4]
The gem is also called aphrite, apyrite, rubelite, or rubylite.
Rubellite crystals were known in Europe when specimens were imported from the East as early as Roman times, however these rubellite specimens were confused with other red gemstones, such as some garnets and spinels.[5]
Rubellite is the most expensive and prized gem in the tourmaline group.[6] The most valuable specimens are colored red and lack brown.[2] Those that are of ruby color are the most valuable.[7]