Learn about the factors that make tourmaline so desirable.

Somewhere in Brazil in the 1500s, a Spanish conquistador washed the dirt from a green tourmaline crystal and confused the vibrant gem with emerald. His confusion lived on until scientists recognized tourmaline as a distinct mineral species in the 1800s.

Learn about tourmaline's durability and how to care for your tourmaline jewelry.

Tourmalines come in a wide variety of exciting colors. In fact, tourmaline has one of the widest color ranges of any gem species, occurring in various shades of virtually every hue.

Tourmalines have a very complex chemical composition, and more than a dozen mineral species are recognized within this group.

Trapiche emeralds, which display a distinct six-spoke wheel pattern, set the standard as some of the finest and most spectacular crystals unearthed.

Identifies 13 copper-bearing tourmalines, which have traditionally been assumed to be elbaite species, as liddicoatite.

After documenting tourmaline production at the famous Cruzeiro mine in Brazil, GIA takes you to China, where you can witness the cutting of these stones for entry into the hottest tourmaline market in the world.

Journey with us to Brazil for a visit to one of the world’s most prolific tourmaline mines. You’ll also hear a highly captivating story of family success through perseverance.

Join GIA’s field gemologists as they venture into some of Brazil’s most important and productive emerald and tourmaline mines.

Examines a collection of Indian and Indian-inspired jewelry on display at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.