Olive Tourmalines – Strange but Mesmerizing

I’ve already told you about blue and green iron-bearing tourmalines, but there’s another variety with a color that’s… hard to describe. They’re not quite green, not quite brown—somewhere in between. They can resemble olives, swamp water, or even a tea-like hue.

Why does this happen?

In classic green tourmalines, iron creates a cool, saturated tone. But when manganese or titanium is also present, the color loses its purity, shifting toward olive-yellow and brownish shades.

The color can also depend on the oxidation state of iron, which exists in two forms (Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺). Their combination produces a less “pure” color tone compared to traditional green or blue tourmalines.

Rarity and Value

Olive tourmalines are not as popular because most people prefer pure green or intense blue gemstones. But when you think about it, nature offers very few stones with such a complex, “smoky” color. They have an elegant look, can display strong pleochroism (for example, shifting from green to warm golden-brown), and, of course, remain natural masterpieces of the Earth.

So yes, if you appreciate something unique, olive tourmalines are a great find. And while I remain loyal to Paraiba, I must admit that these complex gemstone colors are truly nature’s magic.

Olga Bachurina,
Co-Founder of Venus in Libra,
Certified by GIA & Gübelin Academy