Everything You Need To Know About
Watermelon Tourmaline

Watermelon Tourmaline Rough Specimen
Table of Contents
- What is Watermelon Tourmaline
- How Does Watermelon Tourmaline Form?
- Where Does Watermelon Tourmaline Come From?
- What is Watermelon Tourmaline Worth?
- Where Can I Buy Watermelon Tourmaline
From the high plateaus of Afghanistan to the humid rainforests of Brazil to the mountainous upcountry of Sri Lanka, tourmaline, one of the most sought-after precious gemstones, stands as a testament to the beauty of its diverse origins.
With a stunning spectrum of hues, high-quality tourmaline gemstones offer sensational clarity and brilliance. Unlike some other popular precious gemstones, tourmaline is more commonly found in larger cuts, making it an attractive option for creating bigger and bolder custom jewellery.
With its 30 mineral varieties, including Chrome Tourmaline, Paraiba Tourmaline, Indicolite, Rubellite and Watermelon Tourmaline, this gemstone offers a kaleidoscope of visual possibilities alongside its exceptional beauty.
1. What is Watermelon Tourmaline?
Watermelon tourmaline is a rare variety known for its striking resemblance to a watermelon's cross-section. This unique natural gemstone features a vibrant green outer layer encircling a luscious pinkish-red centre, often separated by a pale white band. The effect is natural, created by crystal-chemical composition variations as it forms deep within the Earth.

2. How Does Watermelon Tourmaline Form?
As the tourmaline crystal grows in the Earth's crust, the conditions in its environment—such as temperature, pressure, and the availability of trace elements, change over time. The sudden contrast in colour in watermelon tourmaline is due to shifts in the mineral's chemical composition during its formation.
These trace elements, particularly manganese, iron, and lithium, influence the colours of tourmaline.
For watermelon tourmaline: The pinkish-red core forms first due to the presence of manganese. Later, the outer layer develops, typically in green hues, as iron or other elements dominate the surrounding environment. The thin white band sometimes seen between the pink and green layers marks a transitional phase in growth where conditions shifted abruptly.
This natural process, driven by the geological forces beneath the Earth's surface, is a testament to the intricate and fascinating processes that create watermelon tourmaline, making it a true geological wonder.

Watermelon Tourmaline Crystal Growing on Matrix
3. Where Does Watermelon Tourmaline Come From?
Watermelon tourmaline is found in a handful of locations around the Earth, often in regions known for producing high-quality tourmaline crystals. Some of the most notable sources include:
Brazil is a top producer of vibrant watermelon tourmaline, renowned for its size and clarity, particularly in the Minas Gerais region.
Madagascar: Known for high-quality specimens of watermelon tourmaline with striking colour contrasts.
Nigeria: Produces fine watermelon tourmaline, often with saturated and vivid hues.
Afghanistan and Pakistan: These countries, especially the mountainous areas, yield beautiful bi-colour and watermelon tourmalines. Prices for watermelon tourmaline of Afghanistan origin are high.
United States: California and Maine have historically produced watermelon tourmaline, with Maine's deposits prized for their rich pink and green hues.

4. What is Watermelon Tourmaline Worth?
Watermelon tourmaline that displays strong and even saturation of colours and good clarity is deemed the most desirable, and prices will reflect that. Because there are many variances in intensity, colour, and colour distribution, prices fluctuate and very much come down to the individual piece. A clean watermelon tourmaline with clean clarity and a pale colour will retail at $280 USD per carat upwards. A watermelon tourmaline visable natural inclusions will retail at $110 USD per carat upwards. Larger watermelon tourmalines that are clean with strong saturation of colour will retail at $700 USD per carat upwards.
Is Watermelon Tourmaline Suitable for a Ring?
Watermelon Tourmaline is rated at 7-7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it a hard gemstone suitable for everyday wear. In saying this, watermelon tourmaline can sometimes feature inclusions, which are naturally internal markings that can, depending on the inclusion, affect the gemstone's durability. Watermelon tourmaline with inclusions should be set into jewellery in a design that protects the integrity of the gemstones, as it is exposed to general wear and tear.
5. Where Can I Buy A Watermelon Tourmaline?
High-quality watermelon tourmaline crystals are a rare occurrence in nature, and like all rare gems, finding a beautiful specimen can take time and patience. At The Sapphire Merchant, we hunt Earth's rarest and most beautiful precious gemstones. If you have specific requirements for a watermelon tourmaline, contact us, and we will source the perfect option for you.