Rubellite
Last updated: April 2026
Saturated red to pink-red elbaite tourmaline. Key field separation from ruby: RI 1.624–1.644 vs. ruby 1.762–1.778. Red spinel is isotropic — no dichroism, no facet doubling. Manganese produces the red-pink color. No commercial synthetic.
Physical & Optical Properties
RI Range1.624–1.644
SG Range3.02–3.10
SG Typical3.06
Hardness (Mohs)7–7.5
Crystal SystemTrigonal
Optic CharacterDR Uniaxial (−)
Birefringence0.018
Dispersion0.017
Fluorescence LWInert
Fluorescence SWInert
Chelsea FilterVariable
PleochroismStrong Dichroic
ColorsRed Pink
SpeciesTourmaline
Related: Tourmaline Varieties
Key Differentiators
- Deep saturated red-pink stable under incandescent and daylight illumination
- Strong dichroism — dark red vs. pale pink/orange-pink
- Much lower RI than ruby (1.762) or red spinel (1.718)
- Facet doubling visible under 10× — absent in ruby and spinel
Common Simulants
- Ruby: Ruby: uniaxial negative; RI 1.762–1.778; SG 4.00; Chelsea filter strongly red; strong LW UV red fluorescence; harder (9 Mohs); no facet doubling.
- Red Spinel: Red spinel: isotropic (singly refractive); RI ~1.718; SG 3.60; no dichroism; no facet doubling; Chelsea variable.
- Red Glass: Isotropic; gas bubbles under loupe; no dichroism; no facet doubling; conchoidal fracture.
Treatments
- Heat Treatment (to lighten dark red or brownish-red)
- Gamma Irradiation (intensifies red-pink; largely undetectable by standard instruments — standard disclosure: "no indications of irradiation treatment detected")
- Fracture Filling (resin or oil — common in included rubellite)
Price Context
Natural — low ($/ct)$100
Natural — high ($/ct)$3,000
NotePer carat; clean, saturated deep red (not pink-red) commands top prices; Brazilian rubellite historically premium; Mozambique and Nigerian material also fine quality
Price context is approximate. GemID is not an appraisal tool. Results are indicators, not certified valuations.
Measurement Guides
Identifying a rubellite? GemID walks through these tests in order — RI, SG, fluorescence, and more.
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