Tourmaline

There is so much to say about Tourmalines. Firstly it is my favorite gem. My first Tourmaline was a rare Paraiba Tourmaline which I gave away to a friend in need many years ago back when I still lived in Germany. I love Tourmalines because of their wide range of colors. Many countries bear Tourmaline mines where this stone is found in combination with other minerals such as Quartz, Mica, Lepidolite. The name Tourmaline means “mixed gems” in Sinhalese (Sri Lanka) and the majority can be found in Afghanistan, Russia, Burma, the United States (California and Maine), and Madagascar.

Tourmaline is a crystalline boron silicate mineral and it contains elements such as Aluminum, Iron, Magnesium, Sodium, Lithium, or Potassium. The Tourmaline mineral group is chemically one of the most complicated groups of silicate minerals and its chemical formula is XY3Z6(T6O18)(BO3)3V3W.
It is pretty hard and durable and thus very well suited for jewelry. It is a so-called pyroelectric mineral, meaning that when warmed, it attracts dust and other lightweight particles.

Tourmaline is classified as a semi-precious stone and does come in a wide variety of colors from clear to black. These colors have many different causes. Iron-rich tourmalines are black to bluish-black to deep brown, while magnesium-rich varieties are brown to yellow. Lithium-rich tourmalines can have a lot of other colors like blue, green, red, yellow, or pink. Bi-colored and multicolored crystals are common and in high demand as they are reflecting variations of fluid chemistry during crystallization. Crystals may be green at one end and pink at the other, blue at one end and green on the other. The most beloved Watermelon Tourmaline is green on the outside and pink inside. Some forms of Tourmaline are dichroic; they change color when viewed from different directions.

The most expensive and valuable form of Tourmaline to this day is the rare neon-blue form known by the trade name Paraiba Tourmaline. While this Tourmaline was first discovered and mined in Paraiba, Brazil, similar colored Tourmalines are all called Paraiba Tourmalines.

Much can be said about the Metaphysical properties of Tourmalines and all its varieties. What may be more interesting is why I use so much of this gem in our Energy Empowered Jewelry. To me Tourmalines bring structure without interfering to what already is. It empowers and amplifies, adds an element or quality without needing to change anything. In my opinion and experience Tourmalines are yielding, joyful, regal, beautiful and gentle. They add rather than overtake or replace. Their colors have purity and glow and their structure resembles growth.

Black Tourmaline or Schorl

Schorl and Albite from Afghanistan.

Black Tourmaline is the most common Tourmaline as it may account for over 90% of all Tourmalines found on Earth.

Qualities: “Draws off negative energy, represents vitality, strong protection”.

Elbaite

Tourmaline Queen Mine, California.

Elbaite is the most well-known and valuable form of the multicolored Tourmalines.

Qualities: “New beginnings, creativity and awareness, cleansing, purifying, transforming dense energy into a lighter vibration”.

Liddicoatite

Liddicoatite Tourmaline from Madagascar.
On display at The Kristallmuseum in Riedenburg, Germany
Photo Credit : Dusted77

The color is usually smoky brown, but also pink, red, green, blue, rarely white.

Qualities: “Getting to deeper cause within, bringing light, sending energy into a direction, very powerful companion”.

Dravite

Dravite from Mwajanga, near Komolo, Tanzania.
Photo: Marin Mineral

Dravite, also called brown Tourmaline, is sodium magnesium rich.

Qualities: “Deep acceptance of oneself, moving on, self-esteem, soothing”.

Achroite

Colorless Tourmaline from Afghanistan.
Picture: pinterest

Qualities: “Clear perception, understanding of life, facilitating communication, very clearing”.

Rubellite

Red Tourmaline, the color is due to iron and manganese.

Picture: mineralauction.com

Qualities:”A strong heart, vitality, passion for love and life, enhancing a positive vibration”.

Indicolite

Picture: Sohail Khan

Blue Tourmaline, color due to iron.

Qualities: “Spiritual freedom, surrender, tranquility, self-expression, love for truth, harmony”.

Verdelite

Picture: Sohail Khan

Green Tourmaline, color due to iron.

Qualities: “The heart, expansion, life energy, living, thriving and growing”.

Siberite

Siberite/Brazil – reddish-violet Tourmaline.

Qualities: “Compassion, serenity, general balance, hope, transformation”.

Watermelon Tourmaline

Picture: Chanda Schmidt

Watermelon Tourmaline with a pink core and its green edges.

Qualities: “Bringing mind, body, spirit, heart & soul into wholeness, creativity, inspiration, activation”.

Bi-Colored Tourmaline

Picture: Sohail Khan

Bi-Colored Tourmaline, Pakistan.

Qualities: “Bi or tri colored Tourmalines combine its individual qualities and usually are very giving”.

Tri-Colored Tourmaline

Picture: Sohail Khan

Three Colored Tourmaline, Pakistan.

Qualities: “Bi or tri colored Tourmalines combine its individual qualities and usually are very giving”.

Paraiba Tourmaline

Picture: hesed.info

Neon blue colored Elbaite tourmaline from Brazil, color due to copper and manganese.

Qualities: “Awakening of gifts and talents, a vision for the future, gives vitality”.