Rubellite – Befisiotra mine, Madagascar

Rubellite from Madagascar is among the attractive and collector-valued varieties of tourmaline. It is a red to pink variety of the mineral elbaite, with the name rubellite mainly used for stones with a rich, “ruby-like” color that retains its shade even under different lighting conditions.

It forms in granitic pegmatites under specific conditions, where residual melt contains high concentrations of elements such as lithium, aluminum, and boron. The characteristic red color is primarily caused by the presence of manganese, whose amount influences the intensity of the resulting hue.

Madagascar is an important source of tourmalines, and rubellites from this region are known for a wide range of colors from delicate pink tones to deep red shades. A slightly warmer hue is typical, often with raspberry to wine-red tones that give the stones a distinctive and natural appearance.

In terms of quality, rubellites from Madagascar are often well translucent, although inclusions are not uncommon and are typical for this type of mineral. Some specimens show zonal coloration, meaning natural color transitions within a single crystal. The most valued pieces are those with an intense red color without brownish tones, appearing vivid even under low light conditions.

Rubellite from Madagascar represents an interesting combination of aesthetic appeal and accessibility. Compared to the finest rubellites from other localities, it can be more affordable while still maintaining high collector and visual value.