From the rugged Bitterroot Mountains bordering Montana to the Snake River Plains meeting Oregon and Nevada, Idaho is a gem hunter’s paradise.

However, finding tourmaline can be challenging, often leading to frustration and wasted time. But don’t worry! We’ve done the hard work for you.

This article reveals the top spots to uncover tourmaline in Idaho, saving you countless hours of research and fruitless searches.

Get ready to explore the best locations, carefully selected to maximize your chances of finding these colorful crystals.

How Tourmaline Forms Here

Tourmaline forms deep underground through intense heat and pressure. It originates from hot, mineral-rich fluids that move through fractures in rocks like granite and pegmatite. As these fluids cool, the minerals within them start to crystallize, forming tourmaline.

The color of tourmaline depends on the specific minerals involved, leading to a wide range of hues including pink, red, green, and blue.

Over millions of years, these crystals grow and become the beautiful, multifaceted stones we see today. Tourmaline is prized for its variety of colors and is often used in jewelry and decorative items.

The Types Of Tourmaline

Several incredible types of Tourmaline can be found in the US as well as in our state. Each is uniquely beautiful and interesting including:

Elbaite

Elbaite is found in pink, red, green, blue, yellow, and even colorless forms. What makes elbaite special is its ability to show multiple colors in a single crystal, like the famous “watermelon” tourmaline with pink and green hues.

This gem stands out due to its complex chemical makeup, which includes lithium, sodium, and aluminum. This composition gives Elbaite its diverse color range and dichroism, allowing it to display different colors when viewed from different angles.

Elbaite has a unique place in history as the first tourmaline variety in which lithium was discovered back in 1818. Some rare types, like the neon blue Paraiba elbaite, are highly sought after by collectors and jewelers.

Schorl

Schorl is known for its deep, rich color. It typically forms long, prismatic crystals with a shiny, glass-like surface when polished. Unlike other tourmalines, schorl gets its distinctive black color from high iron concentrations.

One of Schorl’s most fascinating features is its ability to become electrically charged through heating or rubbing. When charged, it can attract or repel small particles.

This unique electrical property makes Schorl valuable in various industries. It’s used in electronics and manufacturing to control static electricity and electromagnetic interference.

Despite being less colorful than other tourmalines, schorl’s practical applications make it an important and interesting variety.

Rubellite

Rubellite stands out with its vibrant pink to red colors. The most prized ones show a pure, saturated red without any brown or orange hints. This beautiful color comes from manganese in its makeup.

One cool thing about rubellite is its double refraction. It can look like it has two different colors when you view it from different angles.

Dravite

Dravite, or Brown Tourmaline, comes in shades from dark brown to light brown-yellow. It can look a bit like Smoky Quartz, with a semi-see-through quality.

Its crystals are often needle-like or prismatic, with points at both ends. This sets it apart from other tourmalines like the darker schorl or the colorful elbaite.

What makes dravite special is its rich sodium and magnesium content. This sets it apart from other tourmalines. It was first discovered in 1883 and named after the Drava River in Slovenia.

Indicolite

Indicolite is a rare and captivating blue to blue-green stone. It’s prized for its pure, bright blue color, which is considered the rarest within the tourmaline family. The hues can range from light blue-green to deep, rich blue, often with high clarity.

What sets Indicolite apart is its unique optical effects. It shows pleochroism, appearing to change color when viewed from different angles. Some specimens also display chatoyancy, creating a “cat’s eye” effect when cut in a certain way.

Indicolite is sometimes called “Brazilian sapphire” due to its resemblance to the precious gem. However, they’re different minerals.

The increasing demand for blue tourmalines has made indicolite highly sought-after in the gemstone market, appreciated for its beauty and rarity.

Watermelon Tourmaline

Watermelon tourmaline is truly one-of-a-kind. It looks just like a slice of watermelon, with a pink or red center and a green outer layer. This unique look happens because different elements join the crystal at different times as it grows.

These crystals often form in a rounded triangle shape. They’re see-through to somewhat clear and have a glass-like shine. When cut into slices, they really do look like little watermelons!

Cat’s Eye Tourmaline

Cat’s eye tourmaline is known for its mesmerizing chatoyancy effect. This creates a bright band across the stone’s surface, resembling a cat’s eye.

This stone comes in various colors, from green to pink to brown, and is usually semi-translucent to opaque.

What makes this stone special is the perfect alignment of tiny, needle-like inclusions inside it. These scatter light in a unique way, creating that eye-catching effect. It’s quite different from other tourmalines that don’t have this feature.

Unlike other cat’s eye stones, Tourmaline offers a wider range of colors and is often more affordable.

Achroite

Achroite is a rare, colorless variety of tourmaline that looks like a drop of clear water turned to stone. It’s completely transparent, making it unique among tourmalines which usually have color. The name comes from Greek, meaning “without color.”

What’s special about achroite is that it doesn’t change color when viewed from different angles. It means the stone can be cut in many ways without losing its clarity.

Verdelite

Verdelite is known for its beautiful green color. It can range from light green to deep emerald.

One thing that makes verdelite special is that you can find big, clear crystals of it. This isn’t always easy with other gemstones.

People love using verdelite in jewelry because its rich color and interesting light effects make it a popular choice for all kinds of accessories. Each piece of verdelite is like a little piece of nature you can wear.

Paraíba Tourmaline

Paraíba Tourmaline is a rare gemstone that catches the eye with its vibrant neon blue or green color. It’s like no other tourmaline you’ve seen before. The intense glow comes from copper in the stone, making it stand out from its cousins.

This stone is one of the rarest. For every 10,000 diamonds mined, only one Paraíba tourmaline is found.

It was only discovered in the late 1980s, making it a newcomer in the gem world. But Paraíba tourmaline’s unique color and rarity quickly made it a favorite among gem lovers.

Its discovery caused quite a stir in the gem community. Even small stones can be valuable because of how rare and beautiful they are.

What Rough Tourmaline Looks Like

When you’re out looking for rough Tourmaline on your own it’s important to know what you’re looking for.  Here are some tips to help you recognize rough tourmaline.

Look for Color Variations

Tourmaline comes in many colors, like pink, green, blue, and even black. Some pieces have multiple colors, like watermelon tourmaline, which is pink and green.

If you see these color mixes, it’s likely tourmaline. Keep an eye out for vibrant shades.

Assess the Density and Weight

Rough tourmaline is relatively heavy for its size. If you pick up a piece and it feels denser than expected, it could be tourmaline. This weight can help you confirm your find.

Examine the Crystal Structure

Tourmaline features distinctive crystal shapes, ranging from slender and elongated to chunky forms. Look for triangular cross-sections and striations on the surface, which indicate its unique growth patterns.

Check for Transparency

Some rough tourmaline can be slightly transparent. If you hold it up to the light, you might see through it a bit. This transparency can be a good sign that you have tourmaline.

A Quick Request About Collecting

Tips on where to look

Once you get to the places we have listed below there are some things you should keep in mind when you’re searching:

Look for Sedimentary Rocks

Sedimentary rocks are great places to find tourmaline. These rocks form from layers of sand, mud, and minerals. Over time, minerals like tourmaline can get trapped.

Look in riverbeds or areas where sediment has built up. You might find small pieces or even larger crystals. 

Explore Mines

Mines are great spots to find tourmaline. Many mines across the U.S. extract various gemstones, including tourmaline.

Some mines even allow visitors to search for gems themselves. Always check if they have guided tours or special digging days.

Search in Gravel Pits

Gravel pits are often overlooked, but they can be treasure troves. These pits dig deep into the earth, exposing layers of rock.

Tourmaline can be found in the gravel. Just sift through the material carefully.

The types of Tourmaline can you find around the state

Idaho is home to several types of tourmaline, including black tourmaline, veredite, and anchorite.

Black tourmaline (schorl) is the most common variety found in the state. It typically appears as long, slender crystals that are dark in color and can be found in various geological settings, particularly in pegmatites and metamorphic rocks.

Veredite is a green variety of tourmaline that can also be found in Idaho. It is characterized by its vibrant green color and is often associated with other minerals in metamorphic environments.

Lastly, anchorite, a less common type of tourmaline, has been identified in Idaho’s geological formations. Each of these varieties contributes to the rich mineral diversity found in the state and attracts both gem enthusiasts and researchers alike.

Some Great Places To Start

Here are some of the better places in the state to start looking for tourmalines:

Dennett Creek

Dennett Creek cuts through the Mineral Hill Mining District in Washington County. This steep-sided valley, near the Snake River, boasts a rich geological tapestry that’s a rockhound’s dream.

The area’s volcanic rocks and quartz diorite tell a story of ancient geological upheavals, creating perfect conditions for mineral formation.

Tourmaline hides among the rocky slopes and old mine dumps scattered across the creek. These remnants of past mining activities now serve as treasure troves for gemstone enthusiasts.

The creek’s unique geology also yields other minerals like chalcopyrite, pyrite, and sphalerite, often found alongside tourmaline.

For the best chances of discovering tourmaline, explore areas where volcanic rocks meet quartz diorite. The exposed rock faces and eroded creek beds often reveal sparkling surprises.

Upper Cramer Lake

Upper Cramer Lake is an alpine lake located in the Sawtooth Mountains within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area in Custer County. This picturesque lake is situated in the central part of the state and is accessible via Sawtooth National Forest trail 154.

The Sawtooth Mountains are renowned for their rugged beauty and diverse geological features, making them a prime location for rockhounding.

The area around Upper Cramer Lake is particularly notable for its glacial origins, which have contributed to the unique mineral deposits found here

The lake’s surroundings, with their rocky outcrops and scree slopes, are prime hunting grounds. Look carefully among the loose rocks and crevices – you might spot the telltale prismatic crystals of tourmaline.

Trimmed Tree Hill

Trimmed Tree Hill is a 6,375-foot summit, located about 13 miles southeast of Avery. The hill’s unique geology, characterized by quartz veins and pegmatite dikes, creates an ideal environment for mineral formation.

Rockhounds can explore the hill’s rugged terrain, focusing on exposed rock faces and eroded areas. The best spots for tourmaline are typically near the quartz outcrops scattered across the hillside.

The area’s diverse mineral deposits also offer chances to discover other fascinating specimens alongside tourmaline.

Its elevation also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Idaho wilderness, making the journey rewarding beyond just the potential gemstone finds.

Lava Creek

Located in the southeastern part of Idaho, Lava Creek offers a unique rockhounding experience. This geological wonder is part of the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, known for its otherworldly volcanic landscape.

The area’s rich volcanic history has created a treasure trove for gemstone enthusiasts, with tourmaline being one of the prized finds.

The volcanic terrain, shaped by ancient lava flows, cinder cones, and craters, provides an ideal environment for mineral formation.

Tourmaline crystals can be discovered embedded in the volcanic rocks, often hiding in the nooks and crannies of solidified lava flows. Rockhounds frequently explore the edges of these flows and the crevices of cinder cones, where minerals have had time to crystallize.

The area’s unique geology not only makes it a hotspot for tourmaline but also offers a chance to discover other volcanic minerals. The stark beauty of the lava fields adds an extra layer of excitement to the gemstone hunting adventure.

Hyndman Peak

Located in the Sawtooth National Forest, Hyndman Peak towers over central Idaho’s landscape. This 12,012-foot giant, the ninth highest in the state is a treasure trove for rockhounds seeking tourmaline.

The peak’s eastern ridges and the Hyndman-Old Hyndman saddle are hotspots for this colorful gem.

Formed by ancient volcanic activity and tectonic shifts, the area’s unique geology creates ideal conditions for tourmaline formation. The granitic rocks here often hide these prismatic crystals, waiting to be discovered.

While exploring, keep an eye out for other minerals too. The Pioneer Mountain Range, home to Hyndman Peak, is known for its diverse mineral deposits.

Remember, the journey to find tourmaline here is as rewarding as the find itself, with stunning alpine scenery at every turn.

Places Tourmaline has been found by county

After discussing our top picks, we wanted to discuss the other places on our list. Below is a list of the additional locations where we have succeeded, along with a breakdown of each place by county.

County	Location
Adams	Rock Flat Placer
Adams	Rock Flat Mine
Bonner	Patten Prospect
Boundary	Golden Scepter Mine
Clearwater	Orofino Creek Anthophyllite occurrence
Clearwater	Unnamed placers in Pierce Area
Clearwater	Pierce Divide Occurrence
Clearwater	Allgood Prospect
Clearwater	Lolo Copper Prospect
Latah	Last Chance Mine
Latah	Campbell Mine
Lemhi	Sunshine Prospect
Lemhi	Blackrock No. 4 Prospect
Lemhi	Indian Point Tourmaline – Quartz Outcrop Occurrence
Lemhi	Sweet Repose Prospect
Lemhi	Last Chance prospect at Dump Creek
Lemhi	Deer Creek area
Shoshone	Success Mine
Shoshone	Rex Mine
Washington	Azurite Prospect
Washington	Bell Mine
Washington	Black Jack Prospect
Washington	Con Dor Mine
Washington	Thorn Spring Prospect
Washington	Tate Prospect