Tourmaline
About Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a complex boron silicate mineral that occurs in more colors than any other gemstone. Known for its powerful protective and grounding properties, Tourmaline is prized for its ability to cleanse, purify, and transform dense energy into lighter vibrations.
Crystal Properties
- Mohs Hardness: 7-7.5
- Chemical Composition: Complex boron silicate with varying elements
- Crystal System: Trigonal
- Colour: All colors - black, pink, green, blue, brown, watermelon (multicolor)
- Chakra: All Chakras (varies by color)
- Element: Earth
Tourmaline Varieties
Tourmaline's incredible color range makes it one of the most versatile crystal families:
- Black Tourmaline (Schorl) - Black - Protection and grounding
- Green Tourmaline (Verdelite) - Green - Heart healing and vitality
- Blue Tourmaline (Indicolite) - Blue - Communication and psychic awareness
- Dravite (Brown Tourmaline) - Brown - Grounding and self-healing
- Pink Tourmaline (Rubellite) - Pink to red - Love and emotional healing
- Watermelon Tourmaline - Pink center with green rim - Heart healing and balance
Metaphysical Properties
Tourmaline is known as a powerful protective stone that forms a shield around the body, deflecting negative energies. It cleanses, purifies, and transforms dense energy into lighter vibrations. Black Tourmaline is particularly valued for grounding and protection, while colored varieties work with specific chakras. Many use Tourmaline for psychic protection, clearing electromagnetic frequencies, and balancing the chakras.
How to Use Tourmaline
Place Black Tourmaline near electronics to absorb EMF radiation, carry it for daily protection and grounding, create a protective grid around your home, meditate with colored varieties for chakra balancing, or wear it as jewelry for continuous energetic shielding.
Caring for Your Tourmaline
- Cleansing: Water-safe but use caution with prolonged soaking. Cleanse with running water, sound bowls, sage smoke, or moonlight. Avoid salt water for extended periods.
- Charging: Moonlight preferred (especially for pink varieties), selenite, or earth burial. Black Tourmaline is sunlight-safe, but colored varieties may fade.
- Storage: Durable at Mohs 7-7.5. Store separately to prevent scratching softer stones.
- Durability: Generally stable but can be brittle. Avoid sudden impacts or extreme temperature changes.
Where Tourmaline is Found
Tourmaline forms in granite pegmatites and metamorphic rocks. The color variations depend on the trace elements present during formation - iron creates black and green, manganese produces pink, and copper creates the rare blue-green Paraiba variety.
Major deposits: Brazil (largest producer), Afghanistan, Pakistan, Madagascar, USA (Maine, California), Nigeria, Mozambique, and Sri Lanka.
Brazilian Tourmaline is known for vibrant colors, while Afghan Tourmaline often shows exceptional clarity. Maine produces fine pink and green specimens.
Tourmaline Through History
Tourmaline's name comes from the Sinhalese word 'turmali' meaning 'mixed colored stone.' Dutch traders brought it to Europe in the 1700s from Sri Lanka. Ancient magicians used Tourmaline as a talisman for protection against negative forces and to enhance creative powers.
In Chinese culture, Tourmaline was carved into snuff bottles and ornamental objects. The Empress Dowager Cixi of China was particularly fond of pink Tourmaline. Native American shamans used Tourmaline for protection and to bring healing powers.
Astrological Connections
- Zodiac: Libra (primary), also Capricorn and Scorpio
- Planetary: Venus (pink), Saturn (black), Earth
- Birth Stone: October (alternative to Opal)
- Numerology: Number 2 (balance and duality)
Crystals That Pair Well With Tourmaline
Tourmaline works powerfully with protective and balancing stones:
- Clear Quartz + Tourmaline for amplified protection and clarity
- Selenite + Black Tourmaline for cleansing and protection
- Smoky Quartz + Black Tourmaline for powerful grounding
- Rose Quartz + Pink Tourmaline for heart healing and love
- Hematite + Black Tourmaline for EMF protection and grounding
Explore Related Crystals
Other Powerful Protective Stones:
- Obsidian - Volcanic glass for protection and truth
- Labradorite - Shields aura and enhances intuition
- Shungite - EMF protection and purification
- Jet - Ancient protection and grounding
Similar Multi-Color Crystal Families: