From the mighty Mississippi River in the east to the vast prairies of the west, from the Canadian border in the north to Iowa’s rolling hills in the south, Minnesota offers a treasure trove of geological wonders.

And finding tourmalines in such a big state is a frustration. But fear not! We’ve done the legwork for you, scouring the North Star State to uncover the top spots for finding this coveted gemstone.

We’ll reveal the best locations to discover tourmaline in Minnesota, saving you time and energy while ensuring your next rock-hounding adventure is a success. Get ready to explore these hidden gems!

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

Minnesota is home to several types of tourmaline, notably black tourmaline and indicolite.

Black tourmaline, also known as schorl, is commonly found in various geological settings, including granite and metamorphic rocks. It appears as dark, opaque crystals and can make up a significant portion of certain rock formations.

Indicolite, a rare blue variety of tourmaline, is less commonly reported but adds to the diversity of tourmaline found in the state. This beautiful blue color occurs due to the presence of iron within the crystal structure.

Both types of tourmaline contribute to Minnesota’s rich mineralogical heritage and are sought after by collectors and gem enthusiasts alike.

Some Great Places To Start

Here are some of the top locations in the state where you can begin your search. These spots are among the best options available.

Bushyhead Island Prospect

Nestled in the northern reaches of Minnesota, Bushyhead Island Prospect sits on Rainy Lake in Koochiching County. This hidden gem is part of Superior National Forest, close to the Canadian border.

The prospect’s geology is fascinating. It’s part of an ancient Archean greenstone belt, formed billions of years ago. The area features chloritic schists and a quartz vein laced with ankerite and muscovite.

A dextral wrench zone, bounded by major faults, has played a key role in mineral formation here.

Tourmaline hunters should focus on the schist and carbonate rocks. The crystals here are often coarse and well-formed, making for exciting finds.

Surface trenches and old adits are prime spots to explore. While searching, keep an eye out for other minerals too – this area is known for its diverse geological makeup.

Rice Creek

Rice Creek cuts through the ancient Vermilion Range in St. Louis County. This area, part of the broader Lake Superior region, boasts a rich geological tapestry that’s a dream for rockhounds.

The Vermilion Range, known for its diverse mineral deposits, offers a unique hunting ground for tourmaline enthusiasts. The creek’s surroundings feature old mining prospects, remnants of the area’s bustling past.

These sites, along with exposed rock outcrops, are prime spots for finding tourmaline. The mineral often occurs in pegmatites and metamorphic rocks, which are abundant in this region.

Rice Creek’s allure extends beyond gemstones. It’s part of a landscape shaped by glacial activity, resulting in a mix of forests, wetlands, and rocky terrain.

This varied environment not only makes for exciting exploration but also provides habitats for diverse wildlife, adding to the area’s appeal for nature lovers and rockhounds alike.

Rabbit Lake Mine

Located in Minnesota’s Cuyuna Range Mining District, the Rabbit Lake Mine offers a unique rockhounding experience. This former iron mine, located near the partially drained Rabbit Lake, is part of the mineral-rich Cuyuna North Range in Crow Wing County.

The site’s geological history dates back to the Proterozoic era, featuring banded iron formations that are a treasure trove for mineral enthusiasts.

Tourmaline, an unexpected gem in this iron-rich environment, can be found scattered throughout the mine’s diverse mineral deposits.

The area’s geological complexity, born from ancient volcanic activity and sedimentary processes, creates ideal conditions for tourmaline formation.

Rockhounds can explore the mine’s weathered outcrops and tailings piles, where tourmaline crystals may be hiding among more common minerals like quartz and hematite.

Gold Island Prospect

The Gold Island Prospect is located in the Quetico Subprovince of the Superior Province. The area’s bedrock consists of ancient Keewatin Greenstone and Rove Slate, dating back to the Archean era.

These rock formations create an ideal environment for various minerals, including the sought-after tourmaline.

While searching for tourmaline, keep an eye out for other minerals like ankerite, chalcopyrite, and even gold. The prospect’s diverse mineral composition makes each expedition exciting and unpredictable.

Focus your search on exposed greenstone and sedimentary rock formations, particularly in areas disturbed by past mining activities.

The rugged landscape and rich mineral deposits of the Gold Island Prospect offer a rewarding experience for both novice and experienced gemstone enthusiasts.

Lyle Mine

This underground marvel is part of the Rainy Lake Mining District in Koochiching County, surrounded by the rugged beauty of Superior National Forest.

The mine’s rich geological history dates back to the Neoarchean era, with host rock schist aged between 2.80 to 2.50 billion years old. This ancient foundation creates an ideal environment for mineral formation, including the coveted tourmaline.

Rockhounds can explore the mine’s underground workings, which extend about 30 meters deep. The schist layers hold secrets for eagle-eyed collectors, with tourmaline crystals hiding within the metamorphic rock.

The area’s unique geomorphology, part of the Western Lake Section of the Interior Plains, adds to its allure for gem enthusiasts.

Lyle Mine’s historical significance and mineral diversity make it a fascinating destination for those seeking to unearth Minnesota’s hidden geological treasures.

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.