Introduction

One of the most exciting contemporary sources of tourmaline is Rubaya, in North Kivu Province of the D.R. Congo. Beginning around 2014–2017, miners in the Rubaya (Masisi) pegmatite district started unearthing spectacular gem-quality tourmaline crystals, a surprise for a region previously known only for smaller or lesser-quality specimens. Almost immediately, connoisseurs declared Rubaya tourmalines to be among the finest seen in decades. These crystals are typically bi-colored or tri-colored: for example, a single crystal might grade from a vivid peachy-pink at one end to a bright emerald or mint green at the other. The colors are saturated and bright, often with sharply separated color zones that make each crystal look like a candy stick of multiple flavors. What truly sets Rubaya pieces apart is their remarkable transparency and form – they are frequently limpid, internally flawless crystals with glassy luster and complex pyramid or multifaceted terminations. Many are slender, prismatic crystals in the 3 to 10 cm range, often “gem clear” and virtually free of inclusions. It’s common to find them as single loose crystals (the host matrix is usually a crumbly pegmatite clay that doesn’t preserve), so matrix specimens are rare to nonexistent.

Collectors adore Rubaya tourmalines for their sheer perfection: they have been described as “textbook” crystals that look faceted by nature. A typical piece might have a pyramidal termination with intricate growth hillocks, atop a body that transitions from green to pink to colorless (or vice versa). The clarity can be so good that you can read through the crystal. Because they are so gemmy, many Rubaya finds were cut for gemstones, which makes fine uncut specimens even more precious. The mineral market responded swiftly to Rubaya’s emergence – during the peak of production (around 2017–2019), considerable quantities of tourmaline were found, but the window didn’t last long. Local conditions (including political instability and periods of mine inactivity) have made Rubaya tourmalines sporadic, and production has slowed since those initial strikes. As one dealer noted, the find is “sure to be a future classic”, and that Rubaya is “producing some of the finest contemporary tourmalines available on the market. The color, clarity, and sharp complex terminations are simply astonishing.”. Prices for top pieces reflect this acclaim – even relatively small Rubaya crystals (4–5 cm) can sell for thousands of dollars if they have exceptional color zoning and impeccable tips. In summary, Rubaya, DRC has quickly entered the pantheon of great tourmaline localities by giving collectors gem-colored, perfectly terminated crystals that in many ways epitomize the ideal tourmaline. They may be small and mostly matrix-free, but their quality is second to none.