Rubellite belongs to the red or pink variety of tourmaline varying from dark, saturated to medium hues and is often mistaken for Ruby. It was first discovered in the early 18th century in the Ural Mountains of Russia. It derives its name from Latin, meaning ‘tending towards red’. The other names used to describe the gem are Rubelite, Rubylite, Apyrite, and Aphrite. It is the most expensive and rarest of the Tourmaline family and it is sometimes even called red tourmaline or pink tourmaline.

It became a popular choice of gemstone during the Art Deco period in the 1920s and 1930s which made use of bold and lavish colors. It is prized for its intense color and beauty. It gets its color due to the presence of manganese and lithium in its crystal structure.

Renée Newman, author of the book "Gemstone Buying Guide," notes that rubellite's rich color is "as close to ruby as one can get"

It is the birthstone for October and it is also associated with the 8th wedding anniversary. If you're looking for high-quality gems at great prices online, look no further than Gempiece where quality is a top priority.