Tourmaline

Details

Tourmaline is a group of several closely related Aluminum Borosilicate minerals that share physical and chemical properties and a wide spectrum of colors displayed. Elbaite, one of the members of the Tourmaline mineral group responsible for producing stones of gemmy quality, is the most well-known and valuable form of Tourmaline. Schorl, Dravite, Uvite, Buergerite, and Liddicoatite are also members of the Tourmaline group that are seldom used as gemstones but still sought after for personal mineral collections. Tourmaline has specimens of virtually every color and almost all display pleochroism; the effect where different colors radiate when viewed from different axes. Tourmaline also possesses the very interesting properties of pyroelectricity and piezoelectricity. When Tourmaline is put under pressure or temperature changes, the specimens will put off an electrical charge that attracts dust particles. This feature was utilized by early Dutch traders who used the crystals to pull ashes from their meerschaum pipes calling this mineral “aschentrekkers”, or “ash pullers”. The Dutch traders imported Tourmalines from Sri Lanka to Europe in the early 1700s. The name Tourmaline comes from the Sinhalese name “Turamali” meaning “something small from the Earth”. There is evidence of Tourmaline’s importance dating back to ancient times where a carving of Alexander the Great dating to around the second or third century BC confirms this. Tourmaline became known in the gem trade in 1876 when mineralogist George Kunz sold a Green Tourmaline gem to Tiffany and Co. Jewelers. Several different color varieties of Tourmaline exist each with its own metaphysical properties. They are all, however, complex aluminum borosilicates with a hardness of 7 to 7.5. They are created mostly in igneous settings, found in granite pegmatites, while Dravite and Uvite are found mostly in metamorphic environments. The crystal habit of Tourmaline is hexagonal, with prismatic crystals and vertical striations running parallel to the main axis. It forms in such beautiful lineal arrays that many collectors seek unaltered specimens in the rough, as opposed to gemstones. Tourmaline can be found throughout the world, with Brazil being a major source that produces high-grade gems named after the mines in which they are found. The United States, Africa, Pakistan, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Russia, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Siberia are just a few other noteworthy localities where this mineral has been sourced.

Metaphysical

The metaphysical value of Tourmaline has been recorded since ancient times. Its pyroelectric and piezoelectric qualities make Tourmaline capable of holding an electrical charge and attracting small particles. This physical component Tourmaline possesses is translated in its metaphysical powers seen in all varieties. Each color of Tourmaline holds different healing energies, however, they all serve beneficial in supporting emotional well-being, enhancing the vitality of life, and offering a reprieve to excessive stress.

Schorl - Black Tourmaline

Element: Earth

Chakras: Base Root Chakra (1st)

Keywords: Purification, Protection

Black Tourmaline crystals are ideal for protection from destructive energies and spiritual attack. Providing high levels of purification to the physical and etheric bodies, Black Tourmaline cleanses the auric field of any negative energies. It is powerful in its grounding energies by creating an electronic circuit with the Earth’s energetic field. Black Tourmaline can be useful during challenging times and helps alleviate the feeling of stress by bringing the body and spirit back down into resonance with the pulse of the Earth. Black Tourmaline can take dark energy and transmute it into usable energy. A very beneficial stone for psychic work and any times when the spirit feels vulnerable. Black Tourmaline provides the grounding access point for positive Light energy to flow.

Partner Stones: Jet, Obsidian, Black Andradite Garnet, Smoky Quartz, Sugilite, Charoite, Amethyst, Hematite

Pink Tourmaline

Element: Water

Chakras: Heart (4th)

Keywords: Emotional Healing, Beacon of Love, Surrender, Calming, Compassion, Feminine (Yin)

Pink Tourmaline is the quintessential stone for work on the Heart chakra. An influencer of greater kindness, tolerance, compassion, and a gentler attitude. Pink Tourmaline activates the High-Heart center, the Seat of the Soul, and helps heal the heart. It helps identify emotional patterns that no longer align with spiritual growth. Pink Tourmaline strengthens the link between the Heart and the Crown chakras, allowing for Divine energies of love to flow. It repairs auric field holes created by past abuse, releasing one of stress, anxiety, worry, and depression. Due to its high lithium content, it calms emotions. A calm emotional state allows one to truly sit with their emotions and not be overcome or overwhelmed by them. Pink Tourmaline purifies the emotional body in this way. It is feminine, Yin, in its energies of healing the heart and restoring love. Pink Tourmaline represents a surrender to love.

Partner Stones: Rose Quartz, Morganite, Kunzite, Thulite, Rhodonite, Rhodochrosite, Malachite, Dioptase, Pink Calcite

Rubellite - Red Tourmaline

Element: Water, Earth

Chakras: Root (1st), Heart (4th)

Keywords: Rekindle Passion, Open to Abundance, Courage, Heart Opener, Link to Universal Heart

Rubellite is the name given for the red variety of Tourmaline that is a beryllium aluminum silicate that is slightly harder than other Tourmalines with a hardness of 7 to 8. Rubellite stimulates the heart chakra in such a way that Universal love permeates the physical realm. The vibrational pattern it carries resonates with the pulse of the heart of the Earth. The emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of a person are affected by the presence of this Red Tourmaline as its heart-opening, passion rekindling, Universal Heart drawing tendencies vibrate deeply into the heart chakras of those near. It reminds one that love encompasses all emotions and that heartbreak can mean heart opening, and that grief can be just as worthy an emotion as joy. Rubellite attunes one to the strong pulse of the Heart of the Earth, making this stone an activator for the lower chakras as well as the heart. Drawing upon Universal Love energies to heal emotional wounds, Rubellite soothes the emotional body allowing nurturing, positive energy to flow once again. Rubellite activates the base and heart chakras helping one feel more acceptance for themselves and their world. It stimulates courage, increases the flow of prana, and enables one to connect with true abundance by connecting with the Divine Love energy.

Partner Stones: Other Tourmalines, Seraphinite, Rose Quartz, Kunzite, Rhodonite, Rhodochrosite, Danburite, Petalite, Azeztulite

Green Tourmaline

Element: Water

Chakras: Heart (4th)

Keywords: Enhance Physical Vitality, Self-Healing, Wholeness, Calming, Heart Activation, Stimulate Cellular Function, Meditation, Communication with Nature/Animals

The healing energy Green Tourmaline offers stems from its resonance with the heartbeat and its stimulation of the heart chakra through emanating a subtle energy field that harmonizes with the heart. Green Tourmaline is a valuable tool to strengthen the heart by aligning the heart’s electromagnetic field with the electromagnetic field of the Earth. Green Tourmaline has an energetic vibration that connects one with the world of physical life and can enhance the growth and wholesome existence of plants, animals, and humans alike. It aids in the feeling that life in the physical world can be enjoyed, sparking the connection one has with Earth. Green Tourmaline helps calm the nervous system and emotions, stimulates cellular function, strengthens the physical heart, and facilitates the proper flow of healing energy throughout the body. The varied hues of green that this stone displays all relate to the Earthly greens of nature and Green Tourmaline can be a powerful healing stone for channeling Nature’s healing power. Green Tourmaline is a beneficial stone for self-healing. It attunes one with the Earth and stimulates a deeper connection with nature and animals. It helps one feel whole and vibrantly alive, grateful to be here for this human existence.

Partner Stones: Aventurine, Emerald, Hiddenite, Peridot, Tsavorite Garnet, Tiger Iron, Pink Tourmaline

Indicolite - Blue Tourmaline

Element: Water, Wind

Chakras: Throat (5th), Third Eye (6th)

Keywords: Psychic Communication, Higher Awareness, Expansion of Consciousness

Blue Tourmaline can help one see through the veil that separates physical life to the ethereal realm. It can be used by channels and mediums to communicate with the deceased. It is a great tool for expanding consciousness as its coloring vibrates with the Throat and Third Eye chakras. This opens the mind to greater levels of consciousness while stimulating the throat for clear, concise, powerful communication. This rare form of Tourmaline is sought after for healing work of past traumas and to communicate with those no longer with us. Blue Tourmaline can help one develop psychic gifts as it opens the doors to the highest spiritual realms. Can be used with Black Tourmaline to provide grounding to the very ethereal nature of this stone and enhance access to higher awareness. Exploring past lives, the root cause of emotional traumas, and releasing attachments are all metaphysical features Blue Tourmaline carries. This stone is pivotal in the collection for anyone seeking higher levels of consciousness.

Partner Stones: Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite, Aqua Aura Quartz, Black Tourmaline

Watermelon Tourmaline

Element: Water

Chakras: Heart (4th)

Keywords: Calming, Higher Heart, Frequency of Joy

Watermelon Tourmaline is a combination of Pink and Green Tourmaline. This variety of Tourmaline is sought after for Heart Work, awakening the “higher heart” energy center that is known as the “seat of the soul”. Watermelon Tourmaline attunes one to the natural frequency of joy. It has a high Lithium content that induces calming. Its calming energy counters any anger or resentment and can be a great tool for finding forgiveness and compassion. Watermelon Tourmaline strengthens the energy of the heart, generating a powerful healing energy field of Love. Calming the mind and the emotions, Watermelon Tourmaline allows one to feel the pure emotions of joy, serenity, and love.

Partner Stones: Thulite, Opal, Pink Calcite, Pink Lazurine, Quartz

Golden Tourmaline

Element: Water

Chakra: Solar Plexus (3rd)

Keywords: Divine Will, Confidence, Empowerment, Prosperity

A quintessential stone for survivors of power abuse or anyone dealing with issues of self-confidence, Golden Tourmaline helps eliminate feelings of fear by stimulating the third Solar Plexus chakra. It helps one realize where the need for control is actually a lack of trust in the divine and Golden Tourmaline will assist one in developing a greater sense of trust. It is a great tool for one to reclaim their power and prevents one from absorbing the emotional energies of others. Golden Tourmaline helps one feel empowered in their own being making strides towards a prosperous and abundant life. It can be helpful in meditations by aligning one’s will with Divine Will, possibly highlighting past traumas and areas where power abuse has taken hold of the soul. Clear-thinking, positive attitude and creative problem solving all make this stone a gateway towards a prosperous existence.

Partner Stones: Heliodor, Golden Labradorite, Libyan Gold Tektite, Yellow Sapphire, Phenacite

Dravite - Brown Tourmaline

Element: Earth

Chakras: Root (1st), Heart (4th)

Keywords: Self-acceptance, Self-healing, Illumination of Shadow, Self-love

“No one will reach Heaven by flying. The downward journey into darkness is the gateway to the Light”, Book of Stones author Robert Simmons eloquently explains the journey towards enlightenment can be used with Dravite to reveal the shadows of our consciousness. The rejected parts of our self get pushed down towards our unconscious and Dravite’s self-healing tendencies bring our shadows to light. This is essential in the healing process as past wounds and traumas keep our life-giving energy blocked if not properly acknowledged and addressed. Coming to terms with irrational thoughts, disillusions, and compulsive behavior, Dravite lets us know where we have been hurt and offers the path towards healing. Dravite stimulates the Root and Heart chakras, flowing self-acceptance back into our veins, grounding us with the healing vibration of Love the Earth radiates at its core. Dravite helps recover lost fragments of self that have been hidden by our egos as a form of self-protection. It is a quintessential stone for doing deep healing work and aids those who feel numb. To see the humor in the dark, and the light at the end of the tunnel, Dravite is the tool that eases the journey within, illuminating us to the greatest versions of ourselves.

Partner Stones: Black Tourmaline, Jet, Black Obsidian, Aegirine, Smoky Quartz, Green Tourmaline

The Nerd Stuff

Chemical Formula: (Na,Ca)(Mg,Li,Al,Fe2+)3Al6(BO3)3Si6O18(OH)4

Color: White, Colorless, Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Pink, Black, Multicolored

Hardness: 7-7.5

Crystal Habit: Hexagonal

Refractive Index: 1.616-1.65

Specific Gravity: 2.9-3.3

Optic Character: Uniaxial (-)

Transparency: Transparent to Opaque

Double Refraction: .018

Luster: Vitreous

Fracture: Conchoidal to Uneven

Cleavage: 3,2

Mineral Class: Tourmaline - Aluminum Borosilicate

Resources

“Tourmaline”, Simmons, Robert, et al. The Book of Stones: Who They Are and What They Teach, North Atlantic Books, 2015.
“The Gemstone Tourmaline”, https://www.minerals.net/gemstone/tourmaline_gemstone.aspx
“The Mineral Elbaite”, https://www.minerals.net/mineral/elbaite.aspx
“The Tourmaline Mineral Group”, https://www.minerals.net/mineral/tourmaline.aspx