Tourmaline – The Ultimate Guide – (Meaning, Description, Uses & Properties)

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Tourmaline Description

What is Tourmaline?

Tourmaline is an aluminum borate silicate. It measures 7-7.5 on the Mohs scale for hardness and occurs in a variety of colors. The red-colored specimens of Tourmaline are called rubellite and the blue colors are indicolite.

You can also get green, brown, black, pink, and yellow examples of Tourmaline. Watermelon Tourmaline is an attractive mix of pink wrapped around with green.

Tourmaline is often confused with other gemstones, such as Citrine, Iolite, Amethyst, and Topaz.

The Origin: Where Is Tourmaline Found?

Tourmaline is mined mainly in Brazil, Afghanistan, Italy, Western Australia, Africa, USA, and Sri Lanka.

The History & Lore of Tourmaline

Tourmaline History and Lore

Legend and myths abound regarding the discovery of Tourmaline.

It has been confused with other gems throughout history, largely due to the fact that it occurs in so many colors.

In the 16th Century, the conquistadors allegedly found green Tourmaline and assumed it to be Emerald.

It was not until the 19th Century that scientists recognized tourmaline as a distinct mineral species.

Humans have most likely used Tourmaline for thousands of years.

The rich variety of colors and the attractive sparkle of the gems appeal to our love of color and beauty in nature.

Tourmaline “wands” are used in pagan and Wiccan rituals and are much prized by energy healers today.

In the Middle Ages, it seems clear that references to these long, striated crystals as tools of the herbalists’ and wise woman’s trade are actually descriptions of tourmaline.

Description of Tourmaline

Tourmaline Description

Tourmaline can be transparent or opaque and occurs in all sizes.

It has a long, striated hexagonal crystalline structure, and natural Tourmaline “wands” are quite common.

How to Identify Tourmaline

As mentioned above, Tourmaline can be confused with other stones of similar color.

However, it is relatively easy to identify a true Tourmaline stone with the naked eye.

Crystal shapes:

Tourmaline has prismatic crystals which are flat and elongated often with clearly defined facets.

The shapes may well have rounded edges. Look at your crystal from above. Tourmaline will show a triangular or hexagonal cross-section.

Hardness:

When scratched with a steel kitchen knife, Tourmaline should remain unscathed, although the knife may show signs of wear.

Striations:

Check for long, thin grooves along the surface of the crystal. These striations are characteristic of authentic Tourmaline stones.

Types of Tourmaline

  • Elbaite
  • Achroite
  • Indicolite
  • Verdelite
  • Watermelon
  • Siberite
  • Liddicoatite
  • Dravite
  • Bi-color Tourmalines
  • Paraiba Tourmaline
  • Cat’s Eye Tourmaline
  • Chrome Tourmaline

Alongside the generic characteristics of Tourmaline, each color variation has its own metaphysical and healing properties and applications.

Black Tourmaline, also called Schorl, is one of the most popular forms of this mineral.

It is said to have many protective qualities and can be used to shield you from harmful electromagnetic waves in the atmosphere.

It is also believed to form a barrier in the aura to ward off negative vibrations, ill wishes, and curses. 

Blue Tourmaline (Indicolite) helps to raise your spiritual vibration and to promote spiritual development.

It is especially useful for working with nature spirits and tuning into the unique healing energies of the planet.

It is sometimes called the “Gaia stone” for this reason.

Physically, Blue tourmaline is believed to soothe burns and prevent scarring, correct fluid imbalances, and aid in the absorption of vitamins, minerals, and nutrition from food and drink.

Tourmaline Birthstone Meaning & History

Green Tourmaline Birthstone meaning

Tourmaline is the natural birthstone for the month of October, and for the zodiac sign Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22).

Scorpio

Scorpios are passionate, brave, and loyal. They often volunteer first for risky or dangerous exploits, especially when there are vulnerable people in need of some support.

Black Tourmaline, with its protective qualities, is ideal for the more reckless Scorpios in your life.

Scorpios often have what we like to term a “magnetic” personality. They ooze charisma, and people are inevitably drawn to them.

They make excellent listeners and have a way of making others feel valued.

Scorpios have a highly developed sense of loyalty and fidelity. A gift of Watermelon or Rubellite Tourmaline is ideal for a Scorpio partner.

Because Scorpio is a fixed sign, they can sometimes be stubborn and uncompromising.

They tend to react badly to change and are resistant to situations that require them to change their way of thinking.

Green Tourmaline helps this kind of Scorpio personality to come to terms with their own resistance.

It gently encourages the opening of the heart and mind to new ways of being, thinking, and doing, pointing out the benefits of new ideas and the appreciation that change can often be for the better.

Scorpios are probably the most secretive sign in the zodiac.

They dislike giving anything of their inner thoughts way to people they do not know well.

This can make forming a relationship with a Scorpio hard going in the beginning.

Soften the atmosphere with a piece of Golden tourmaline to encourage a harmonious flow of communication between individuals.

Tourmaline Treatment

Pink Tourmaline Treatment

How to Clean and Care for Tourmaline

Tourmaline can be cleaned with mild soap and warm water. Rinse well and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.

You can also hold it under clear, running water for a minute to clean surface dust and debris from your crystal.

Tourmaline responds very well to charging and programming.

It is highly absorbent of energies and quickly becomes charged with the vibrations of your intentions.

Make sure to frame these intentions in positive language and renew your affirmations each day until you are ready to accept the manifestation of your desire into your reality in a practical way.

Buyers Guide: Tips & Advice

Tourmaline is a popular crystal and will not necessarily cost you a lot of money.

You will know which colors you are drawn to, or you may be looking for a particular set of healing and metaphysical properties from Tourmaline.

Color is the overriding factor when considering the quality of the stones you are wishing to purchase.

Tourmaline Quality Factors

Color

Pink and Red tourmaline, known as Rubellite, is one of the most sought-after colors, with Blue and Green Tourmaline not far behind when it comes to gemstones used in jewelry.

Black tourmaline is most sought after for its grounding and healing properties.

The hue of the gemstone refers to your perception of its color, and this can be impacted by the viewer’s ability to see and judge color.

Color saturation refers to the intensity of the shade under consideration, and, generally speaking, the deeper the saturation the more expensive the gem.

The tone of the color of the stone refers to the lightness or darkness of the color.

It is best to look for a medium tone when shopping for pink, green, or blue Tourmalines, not too pale and not too dark.

Very dark tones result in a “flatness” of color. Some Green Tourmalines are described as “oily” or “olive green” and are considerably lower in price than the brighter gems.

Clarity

Tourmalines may show evidence of inclusions, some of which are visible to the naked eye.

Inclusions and imperfections can be caused by pressure, crystals growing within crystals, slight cracks, or liquid-filled “needles”.

These imperfections all have an impact on the clarity of the gem, but this will depend on whether the stone is a Type 1, Type 2, or Type 3 gem.

Type 1 – gems rarely show inclusions in nature, Type 2 – gems usually contain inclusions, and type 3 – gems almost always have inclusions.

You can judge the quality of the clarity of your chosen tourmaline on the color.

Rubellite and Pink tourmaline are Type 3 stones and would therefore be expected to show imperfections.

All other colors are Type 2 stones.

Cut

Whether a Tourmaline is cut as an Oval or a round will not have an impact on the quality of the stone.

Unlike diamonds, for example, the cut of Tourmaline is not judged against a rigid set of standards.

Let your own taste and common-sense guide you. Avoid stones with bulging pavilions and asymmetrical shapes.

Look for crystals with neatly placed facets that give a good light return, and a symmetrical cut.

Carat Weight

As with all gems, larger-sized specimens of Tourmaline are rarer than small ones.

This puts the price up for a large stone. It is unusual to find Rubellites over 5 carats.

Chrome Tourmalines tend to be under 2 carats. Yellow or golden Tourmaline can be found relatively easily over 10 carats.

Tourmaline and Chakras

Tourmaline and Chakras

Black Tourmaline is one of the best stones for the Base or Root chakra. It has a powerful, stabilizing effect on both the mind and body.

When you feel anxious, full of fear, or just overwhelmed by your reality, try holding a piece of Black Tourmaline for a few minutes.

After a while, see what you can feel in your physical body. Many people report feeling a great weight dropping down into their feet.

Some even say that they feel as if their feet are “stuck” to the ground and that moving them would prove difficult.

On an emotional level, when your Base chakra is blocked you can feel adrift, cut off from the support of other people, and alone in your struggle to survive.

Black Tourmaline unblocks the Base chakra and allows negative energies to drain away.

It replaces them with feelings of safety and security in your material existence.

It also instills in you the confidence to interact with others, to ask for help when you need it, and to offer help to others.

Watermelon tourmaline is ideal for anything to do with matters of the heart.

It reflects the colors of the Heart chakra, pink and green, and emits a powerful emotional healing vibration that keeps the Heart chakra open and alleviates the pain of a broken heart.

Tourmaline Healing Properties

Green Tourmaline Healing Properties

Tourmaline is one of the most powerful and versatile healing crystals.

Each color has a wide range of different qualities to help with maintaining optimum physical, mental, and emotional health.

The generic properties of Tourmaline are shared with all variations and colors of the stone.

Physical Healing Properties

The striations along the surface of the crystals of Tourmaline enhance energy flow and can be used to amplify the healing energies of the body’s own systems.

Tourmaline wands are used to direct healing or Universal energy to the point of need in Reiki and Crystal Healing practices.

Tourmaline can also provide a useful diagnostic tool. It sets up a vibration that can be felt as a change in temperature when passed over areas of discomfort.

Tourmaline strengthens the immune system and supports the organs of the heart, kidneys, adrenal glands, and liver.

It is a wonderful detoxifier and can help to rid the body of heavy metals and environmental pollutants.

Black Tourmaline can be used to stimulate the meridians and reflex points associated with the lower back and is often employed by healers to align the vertebrae of the spine.

Blue Tourmaline has healing applications for the head, eyes, neck, ears, and throat.

Green Tourmaline heals the digestive system and is good for treating constipation and IBS.

It also benefits the thymus and the brain and is an excellent rejuvenating stone for treating physical exhaustion and CFS.

Pink tourmaline can be used to balance a dysfunctional endocrine system and bring hormonal levels into balance.

It also benefits the female reproductive system.

Brown Tourmaline (Dravide) treats skin disorders such as hives and rosacea, eczema, and acne.

It is also beneficial for the intestines and to regenerate the cells of the entire body following a debilitating or long-term illness. 

Mental & Emotional Healing Properties

Black Tourmaline brings a sense of calm and proportion to scattered or run-away emotions.

It teaches patience, self-acceptance, and the importance of staying in the here and now.

This soothes away fears about the future and dissipates the kinds of anxieties we experience when we go down the “what if” road.

Red Tourmaline (Rubellite) strengthens the ability to understand love and to experience compassion for others and for the self.

It is a stone of diplomacy in emotional matters, promoting tact and encouraging a balance between passivity and aggression, arrogance, and shyness.

It harmonizes the Yin and Yang aspects of the emotional energy body and brings a feeling of peace and serenity to a troubled mind.

Watermelon Tourmaline is the best crystal for healing the Heart from past hurts.

It soothes away feelings of anger or betrayal and brings in waves of loving compassion, understanding, tenderness, and friendship.

All Tourmalines are beneficial for alleviating stress and increasing mental and emotional resilience. 

Wands can be used to disperse depression and clear away old, outmoded thought forms that keep you stuck in unhelpful patterns of behavior.

Metaphysical Properties

Brown Tourmaline Metaphysical and emotional properties

The metaphysical properties of all forms of Tourmaline are associated with grounding and anchoring you into the beneficial, benevolent energies of your Home Planet.

Tourmaline is both cleansing and rejuvenating. It is often used in rituals to heal the Earth and clear pollution from rivers, streams, and oceans.

In the same way, Tourmaline can cleanse and clear your energetic and etheric bodies.

It repairs holes in your bio-magnetic sheath, disperses blocked energies from your chakras, and revitalizes the energetic and meridian systems.

This allows healing, life force energy to flow freely and to reinvigorate body, mind, and spirit.

Pink tourmaline is an excellent support stone for anyone dealing with extreme anxiety and panic attacks.

This colored crystal helps you to make sense of inner chaos and feelings of dread.

It is a supremely humanitarian stone that encourages a humanitarian approach to life and compassion for others.

It helps you to see beyond your own limitations and the worries and fears that may seem to overwhelm you.

It brings deep peace and serenity and gives you the clarity necessary to make changes to your muddled thinking.

Tourmaline is also a highly protective stone that can be used to form a shield around the physical and emotional bodies.

It guards against negative vibrations, projected thought forms, and ill wishes or curses.

It encourages community spirit and brings a sense of safety and security regarding your existence and survival in the material world.

Pink tourmaline gently disperses negative vibrations and brings your male and female energies into balance, avoiding an excess of just one way of thinking and being.

Spiritual Healing Properties

Black Tourmaline is one of the best crystals for grounding spiritual energies.

It brings illumination and light to even the bleakest of circumstances and bolsters your ability to remain radiant, loving, and supportive of those who are still living in a dark place.

Natural Tourmaline wands channel exceptionally high-powered, spiritual energy and can be used to enhance your spiritual awareness and growth.

Blue tourmaline is useful when working on the Third eye chakra.

It gently stimulates your psychic abilities and clarifies messages you may receive from your Higher Self and the realm of spirit.

It also activates the Throat chakra, helping you to communicate clearly with your guides, angels, teachers, and messengers.

How to Use Tourmaline

Watermelon Tourmaline Uses

As Jewelry

All colors of tourmaline can be found fashioned into very attractive jewelry pieces.

Watermelon tourmaline makes a wonderful pendant to wear next to your heart.

And Blue or Green Tourmaline stones can be worn as earrings to benefit the eyes and ears.

Rubellite and Pink Tourmaline can be combined in jewelry with clear stones, such as Diamond or Quartz to bring a vibrant, light-filled frequency into your aura.

In-Home and Office

Black and Brown tourmaline can be placed as tumbled stones or pieces of raw crystal in pots or dishes around your house or workplace.

This helps absorb negative energies from the atmosphere and from electronic devices.

Best Crystal Combinations with Tourmaline

Best crystal combinationa for Tourmaline

Tourmalines combine well with other crystals to enhance and amplify the energies and vibrations of those crystals and to create a new, combined vibration for different purposes.

Black Tourmaline and Selenite

Black Tourmaline and selenite is a dramatic pairing of light and dark.

It produces a phenomenal amount of energy that can be harnessed for balancing the Yin and Yang forces within the energy body, healing physical ailments, and releasing fear, stress, regret, and shame from your energy body.

Black tourmaline is a highly protective stone. It also acts like a sponge, mopping up negative vibrations quickly and efficiently.

Selenite has a high, light vibration that fills you with positivity and optimism, clearing away fears and replacing them with confidence in yourself and the future.

One way to use this combination is to hold a piece of Selenite in one hand and a piece of Black Tourmaline in the other.

Breathe deeply and set your intentions for cleansing and clearing your aura, your physical body, and your emotional and mental bodies of all negative influences.

Hold the Black Tourmaline to your Sacral chakra and visualize negativity being drawn down into your hips and legs, flowing down into your feet, and traveling into the earth.

Now bring the hand hold the Selenite up to your chest and breathe in the pure white light of healing positivity directly into your Heart.

Repeat this simple exercise as often as you like to ensure that your energy is balanced and flowing freely to energize, protect, and heal you.

Rubellite and Pink Quartz

Pairing Pink Quartz and Rubellite is ideal for attracting love into your life.

Place the crystals in the relationship corner of your home, or by your bedside, to attract a romantic partner or set intentions for your Heart chakra to be always open and balanced so that you can give and receive love in equal measure.

Final Thoughts & Conclusion

Tourmaline cleanses and purifies. It grounds spiritual energy, clears and balances all the chakras, and forms a protective shield around your body and your aura.

It transforms dense or stagnant energy into a lighter vibration and reveals the solution to feelings of discomfort and dis-ease.

Tourmaline wands are excellent healing tools that can rebalance the meridians and reset the DNA memories of diseased cells.

Watermelon Tourmaline is one of the best remedies for a broken heart and Black tourmaline provides the safety and security you need by anchoring you firmly to the Earth.

References

GIA | GIA | Wikihow

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