Specific Gravity Rubellite is a variety of tourmaline varying in color from a pale rose to a deep ruby, and containing lithium. Rubellite is the reddish pink to purple color variety of Tourmaline, the most varicolored of all gemstones. With its deep ruby red color, Rubellite is very rare and the most valuable form of Tourmaline. It consists of inclusions. The chemical impurities cause a growing crystal to become internally cracked- more the impurities, darker the shade of red.
Rubellite displays pleochroism i.e. the color changes when viewed at different angles but this varies from specimen to specimen. It is supposed to be an especially powerful influence on love and friendship, lending to permanence and stability. It is faceted into gems for jewelry as well as carved into ornamental figures and carvings.