Rubellite

{{Short description|Mineral}} {{Expand language|otherarticle=Rubellite|langcode=It|date=October 2021|topic=Science and technology}}{{Infobox mineral |image=Tourmaline-280362.jpg |category=Tourmaline<ref name="mindat">{{Mindat |id=3472 |name=Rubellite}}</ref> |color=Red, pink, pinkish, violet-red}}

'''Rubellite''' is the red or pink variety of tourmaline and is a member of the elbaite. It is also the rarest gem in its family.<ref name=":0">{{cite book |last=Oldershaw|first=Cally |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wm_X_LzoN-cC&q=Rubellite&pg=PA132 |title=Firefly Guide to Gems |date=2003 |publisher=Firefly Books |isbn=978-1-55297-814-6 |page=132 |language=en}}</ref> It is occasionally mistaken for ruby.<ref name=":1">{{cite book |last1=Grande|first1=Lance |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RnE9Fa4pbn0C&q=Rubellite&pg=PA147 |title=Gems and Gemstones: Timeless Natural Beauty of the Mineral World |last2=Augustyn|first2=Allison |date=2009-11-15 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-30511-0 |page=147 |language=en}}</ref> These gems typically contain inclusions.<ref name=:2>{{cite web |title=Rubellite Tourmaline Value, Price, and Jewelry Information |url=https://gemsociety.org/article/rubellite-jewelry-and-gemstone-information |publisher=International Gem Society |language=en |access-date=2021-10-01}}</ref>

Notable countries where rubellite can be mined include Afghanistan, Brazil, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nigeria, Russia, and the United States.<ref name=":2"/>

== Name == Rubellite is named after the Latin word {{wikt-lang|la|rubellus}}, meaning "reddish".<ref name=":0"/> The term rubellite was first used in 1794.<ref>{{cite Merriam-Webster|rubellite |access-date=2021-09-17}}</ref>

The gem is also called '''apatite''', '''apyrite''', '''rubellite''', or '''rubylite'''.<ref name="mindat"/>

== History == Rubellite crystals were known in Europe as early as Roman times, when specimens were imported from the East. However, these rubellite specimens were confused with other red gemstones, such as garnets and spinels.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The magical world of minerals & gems Practical guide to discovering and collecting them |publisher=De Agostini |year=1993–1996 |location=Novara |language=it}}</ref>

== Value == Rubellite used to be the most expensive and prized gem in the tourmaline group, but has since been eclipsed by Paraiba tourmaline.

<ref>{{cite web|title=TOURMALINE BUYING GUIDE|url=https://www.palagems.com/tourmaline-buying-guide |publisher=palagems.com|access-date=2024-12-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Federman|first=David |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=flqvBQAAQBAJ&q=Rubellite&pg=PA163 |title=Modern Jeweler's Consumer Guide to Colored Gemstones |date=2012-12-06 |publisher=Springer Science+Business Media |isbn=978-1-4684-6488-7 |page=163 |language=en}}</ref> The most valuable specimens are intensely red and lack brown tones.<ref name=":1"/> Those with a ruby color are the most valuable.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rubellite gemstone information |url=https://gemdat.org/gem-3472.html |publisher=gemdat.org |access-date=2021-10-01}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

Category:Gemstones Category:Tourmalines