The tourmaline, a matter of nuance
Green, pink, blue, brown… Tourmaline offers such a wide palette that you can fall for two very different stones without realizing they share the same name. Some even combine several colors within a single crystal.
At the workshop, it’s this diversity that draws us in. From a bold green to a pale pink, a golden brown to a deep blue, every shade gives the piece a different character.
A stone long mistaken for another
Its name comes from the Sinhalese word toramalli, meaning mixed stones. For centuries, it was mistaken for other gems: red, it was taken for a ruby; green, for an emerald.
Even imperial collections had their mix-ups. The “Caesar’s Ruby,” once owned by Catherine II of Russia, is in fact a red tourmaline. A stone can be famous under the wrong name.
Color, up close
There are the colors you’re looking for, and the ones you hadn’t thought of. A pink tourmaline with brownish undertones, a green one with yellow glints, a muted shade that ends up catching your eye anyway.
Some display distinct color zones. Watermelon tourmaline, pink at the core and green at the edges, is a particularly clear example.
Clarity, cut and light matter too. Depending on the angle you view it from, a tourmaline can appear lighter, darker, or reveal a different shade altogether. It’s a stone best appreciated in motion.
Discover our tourmaline creations
At the workshop
Choosing a stone means taking the time to look at several. Holding them side by side, comparing them in the light, watching how they change against gold and against skin. A color you loved in a photo isn’t always the one you choose once you’re here.
With our semi-customization service, you choose your tourmaline for one of our existing designs. We guide you through that choice, then shape your piece in our Parisian workshop, in recycled 18-karat gold.
The shape is already drawn. The choice of stone gives it an expression that’s yours alone.
An October stone
Along with opal, tourmaline is one of October’s birthstones. An occasion to mark a birth, a birthday, or to choose a color for someone you know well.
You can also choose it with no date to celebrate at all.
The symbolism
As October’s birthstone, tourmaline also carries a whole world of meaning. It’s said to offer protection and balance. Some say it wards off negative energy and sparks creativity. Some see it as a stone of calm, others as a stone of joie de vivre.
We make no promises. But it’s easy to see why a stone of a thousand colors has inspired so many stories. Discover the other birthstones on our birthstone page.
Everyday wear
Tourmaline has a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, which measures resistance to scratching. It can be worn every day, but remains sensitive to impact: it’s best to remove your ring for activities that might knock it.
To clean it, warm soapy water and a soft brush are enough. Rinse, then dry gently with a soft cloth. Avoid sudden temperature changes, ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaning. For more, see our care guide.
You can also bring your piece to the workshop: cleaning and polishing are offered free for life.
Choosing it in person
At 1 rue Perrée, in Le Marais, come discover the tourmalines we have available and consider together which one will find its place on your design.
Green, pink or brown: a color is always better chosen in person than on a screen.
