How much is a pink tourmaline worth?

Depending on the quality of the gemstone, a pink tourmaline can cost anywhere between $300 to $600 per carat (approximately).

How much is a pink sapphire worth?

That really depends on the quality of the gemstone. For example, one should be able to buy an heirloom-quality 1-carat pink sapphire for less than $2,000.

What is the rarest tourmaline variety?

The Paraíba tourmaline is the rarest variety of tourmaline.

Pink Tourmaline vs Pink Sapphire: Which One Should You Pick?

If you are considering buying a pink-colored gemstone that is both gorgeous and elegant at the same time, how can you not think of the pink sapphire and pink tourmaline? While the former happens to be the birthstone of October, the latter is one of the gems of October. They both have stunning pink hues, but is there anything else that differentiates them from each other?

Natural vs Lab Grown Gemstone

Let’s find out…

Pink Sapphire vs Pink Tourmaline: Key Differences

1. Color
2. Symbolism
3. Hardness
4. Rarity
5. Origin
6. Affordability
7. Popularity

1. Color

Pink Sapphire: As the name suggests, this sapphire variant is available in a pink hue. The shade of this gem can range from pale pink to a vivid magenta. The traces of iron, titanium, copper, magnesium and chromium present in its composition help determine the intensity of the pink.
Pink Tourmaline: Pink is one of tourmaline’s most sought-after and widely available colors. It is available in shades ranging from light pink to reddish pink.

2. Symbolism

Pink Sapphire: This gemstone is synonymous with feminine elegance and romance. The pink precious stone is also considered to be a symbol of good fortune, power and love.
Pink Tourmaline: This lovely pink gemstone is believed to symbolize friendship, compassion, self-love and transformation.

3. Hardness

Pink Sapphire: Member of the corundum family of minerals, this jewel is extremely tough and has a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Hence, if you’re looking for an extremely durable pink stone for a ring, this gem is definitely one you should invest in.
Pink Tourmaline: Talking about pink tourmaline’s hardness, the gemstone has a rating of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. This indicates that it is considerably durable, but not as tough as the pink sapphire.

4. Rarity

Pink Sapphire: This gem happens to be one of the rarest colors in the Sapphire family.
Pink Tourmaline: Pink tourmalines, on the other hand, are not rare and can be found without any difficulty.

5. Mining Locations

Pink Sapphire: They are mined in a handful of locations, such as Sri Lanka and East Africa.
Pink Tourmaline: Deposits of this gem are commonly found in Brazil, but it is also mined in Afghanistan, Kenya, Madagascar and Mozambique.

Shop Pink Tourmaline Jewelry:

Shop Pink Sapphire Jewelry:

6. Affordability

Pink Sapphire: Heirloom-quality stones are quite expensive.
Pink Tourmaline: Fairly large-sized stones of pink tourmaline are comparatively very affordable.

7. Popularity

Pink Sapphire: This gem is often considered to be a great alternative to pink diamonds, and being a precious stoneonly adds to its popularity and demand.
Pink Tourmaline: They’re relatively less popular and are often seen as an alternative to pink sapphires.

Similarities Between the Two Gemstones

Apart from being available in pink hues, they have a few other similarities, some of which we’ve mentioned below…

1. Clarity

Pink Sapphire: Due to the immense pressure under which they are created, the majority of pink sapphires found in the market today are included in some way or the other. Examples of this include cavities, needles, feathers, fingerprints and silk.
Pink Tourmaline: Generally, pink tourmalines have eye-visible inclusions. However, the flaws are often overlooked if the stone’s hue is intense and appealing.

2. Treatment

Pink Sapphire: Most pink sapphires undergo heat treatment to enhance their color.
Pink Tourmaline: Some pink tourmalines also are subjected to heat or irradiation to improve their hue and clarity.

Did You Know?

As per Asian lore, the pink sapphire was often compared to the lotus flower which represented wisdom, purity and beauty.
Ancient Indians would typically use the pink tourmaline to awaken their insight and help them distinguish between bad and good.

Love the Gemstones but Not the Color?

If so, we highly recommend these sapphire and tourmaline variations:

Pink Sapphire

Blue Sapphire: One of the most popular color varieties present today, this gorgeous gemstone can be found in different shades ranging from velvety blue and intense royal blue to dark violet-blue.
Yellow Sapphire: If you’re in the market for a gemstone that’s bright and cheery, look no further than the yellow sapphire. Found in several hues ranging from greenish-yellow to orangish-yellow, this resplendent beauty is guaranteed to light up even your dullest day.
Orange Sapphire: Available in a variety of shades (ranging from deep golden to mandarin to deep orange), this swanky gemstone will definitely help you achieve the retro vibe you’ve been wanting.
Teal Montana Sapphire: Named after its place of origin (Montana), this stunner can be flaunted in several medium blue to green hues. Having said that, the teal variation is unquestionably the most famous of the lot.
Green Sapphire: Featuring a distinct mossy, blue-green hue, this gorgeous precious gemstone is destined to pack away the boring and bring out the vibrancy in your everyday outfit rotation.
Purple Sapphire: If you’re someone who loves being dramatic, you can’t go wrong with a purple sapphire. Ranging from medium-dark reddish-purple to violetish purple, this rare beauty is sure to grab eyes and make you the center of attention.
White Sapphire: Tired of seeing the white diamond stealing the spotlight? Opt for a white sapphire instead. Contrary to its name, this jewel is not white – it is colorless and transparent. Needless to say, this has added to the stone’s beauty and has made it that will forever remain irreplaceable.
Padparadscha Sapphire: Known for its rare, elegant salmon hue, this gemstone has a knack for winning hearts! Needless to say, if you’re looking for a jewel that’s not too flashy but can still stand out in a crowd, then this stunner definitely fits the bill.

Pink Tourmaline

Similar to their sapphire counterparts, tourmalines can be found in a vast variety of eye-catching hues. In fact, these distinct shades have actually inspired several tourmaline tradenames. The major ones are as follows:

Rubellite: The tourmalines that fall within this category are known for their romantic aura and can typically be found in different shades of red. These include pink, red, purplish-red, orange-red and brownish-red. Having said that, there is currently an ongoing debate regarding whether or not the pink tourmaline should be added to this list.
Indicolite: Available in several cool-toned hues like dark violetish blue, blue and greenish-blue, the tourmalines present within this category are nothing short of works of art. And who doesn’t want that?
Paraíba Hailing from the gorgeous state of Paraíba, Brazil, these semi-precious jewels are adored for their intense violetish blue, greenish blue and blue shades. Trust us, with this stunner in your repertoire, you’re sure to stun audiences and grab headlines.
Chrome Tourmaline: Showcasing a deep green hue, this gemstone celebrates nature’s glory in the best way possible. And while we hate playing favorites, this stone is definitely one of the top choices for an everyday item.
Parti-Colored Tourmaline: Are you someone who can never settle on a gemstone color? Because if so, a parti-colored tourmaline might be the one for you! As indicated by the name, the gemstones that fall within this category typically feature more than one color. And while pink and green is the most common combination, there are several out there for you to choose from.

Watermelon Tourmaline: Speaking of multi-colored gemstones, this list would not be complete without mentioning the watermelon tourmaline. With a pink center and green outline, this jewel will always put you in the spotlight.

Other Pink Gems You Should Consider Getting

Morganite: Elegance mixed with a subtle hint of flirtatiousness, this peach-pink gemstone is a true beauty. It is quite a durable gem and features a 7.5-8 rating on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This makes it a fantastic pink stone option for a ring.
Rose Quartz: If you’re looking for a stone that’ll dominate your heart (and your daily wardrobe), then the rose quartz is something you should consider investing in. Featuring a blush-pink hue, this gem is one that’ll easily soften your look and make you feel like the feminine beauty you are.

If you are looking for a stone that has a mass appeal and looks elegant and stylish, then we highly recommend the pink sapphire. But if you are keen on flaunting a lively color in the form of an affordable gemstone, then we suggest opting for the pink tourmaline. So, get going and grab your favorite pink gem right away!

Good to Know:

Not many are aware that pink tourmaline has been around for centuries. As a matter of fact, it was often masqueraded as ruby to fool kings. A rich pink variety of this gem also found its way into Russian crown jewels. Even after its true identity was revealed, it did not lose any of its prestige. By the late 1800s, pink tourmaline became wildly popular and even helped create a significant demand for colored gemstone jewelry.

Verdict:

Color is the most important asset of pink tourmaline. Most inclusions (unless they are exponential) are often ignored because the incredible hue of good quality stones often takes precedence. That said, pink tourmalines are not as robust and sough-after as pink sapphires. The latter also has very few gems that can rival its brilliance. And that’s just one of the reasons that make pink sapphires expensive.

If you want to flaunt a pop of color in the form of a beautiful gemstone, then consider going for pink tourmaline. It serves the purpose and is easy on the pocket too. But if you’re looking for something with a deeper symbolism, a jewel worthy of being passed down to generations then pink sapphire is a winner, hands down.

For more in-depth information about pink sapphires and tourmalines, please take a look at these handy guides.

Pink Sapphire vs. Pink Tourmaline FAQs

How much is a pink tourmaline worth?
Depending on the quality of the gemstone, a pink tourmaline can cost anywhere between $300 to $600 per carat (approximately).
How much is a pink sapphire worth?
That really depends on the quality of the gemstone. For example, one should be able to buy an heirloom-quality 1-carat pink sapphire for less than $2,000.
What is the rarest tourmaline variety?
The Paraíba tourmaline is the rarest variety of tourmaline.