Tourmaline

The word tourmaline refers to a mineralogical family that includes a series of isomorphous crystals (of the same shape).

Where Does the Name "Tourmaline" Come From?

The word "tourmaline" comes from the Sinhalese word "turamali", meaning "the stone of mixed colours".

Tourmaline was also called "Aschentrkker" (or "ash extractor") for a very long time in northern countries because the Dutch, who were the first to import the gem, observed that tourmaline attracted ash from their meerschaum pipes.

Tourmalines previously had specific names depending on their colour (see colour), but today it is more common to refer to all stones in the tourmaline family as tourmaline and simply specify their colour (e.g., red tourmaline).

What are the colors of Tourmaline?

Monochromatic tourmalines are quite rare; most often, a single crystal shows a color gradient or even multiple colors.

The stones can be of all colors, with the most well-known being colorless (Achroite), red (Rubellite), yellow to brown (Dravite), green (Verdelite), light blue to dark blue (Indicolite), pink-lilac to purplish blue (Siberite), or black (Schorl).

The multi-colored red tourmaline surrounded by a green cortex is called "watermelon tourmaline."

It is possible to change the color of the stone by heating it between 450°C and 650°C: green stones then approach the color of emerald, reddish-brown ones become a luminous red, and others lighten.

What does it symbolize?

Today, tourmaline symbolizes joy and harmony, as well as October birthdays (like opal).

**Where does it come from?**

The most significant deposits are located in Brazil.

How to clean my Tourmaline jewelry?

It is possible to clean your tourmalines with steam.

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