Tourmaline

Tourmaline is a group of different types of stones. They come in several beautiful types and colors.
Examples are Buergerite (black, quite rare), Rubellite (red, pink, purple), Schorl (also black), Verdelite (green), and there are many more varieties! Some are quite rough while others are transparent and clear. There is also a watermelon tourmaline, which is green with red!
At Beads & Basics we mainly sell rubellite and schorl.

Healing properties and meaning of tourmaline

There are many types of tourmaline, and each tourmaline is said to have a different effect.
In general, tourmaline is said to be calming and promote creativity.
Here are some examples of different types:

Rubellite (pink/red): is said to promote zest for life and passion, and is said to have a positive impact on your social life. Rubellite is said to activate the heart and is recommended to people who want to heal their hearts or attract more love.

Schorl (black): is said to be grounding and help you feel connected to the earth. It is said to counteract negative influences and thoughts.
Black tourmaline has a special structure that allows it to charge itself energetically when it becomes warm. One side is positively charged, and the other side is negatively charged (just like a battery). This is called pyroelectric charge. Because of this, black tourmaline is used in preventing radiation from electrical devices. It is often placed on a TV or computer.

Verdelite (green): is said to help attract more creativity and success. It is also said to drive away negativity and promote compassion.

How to use tourmaline

Besides our charms, connectors and beads that you can make beautiful jewelry with, there are other uses as well. You can also carry the stone in your pocket at all times. It is thought that you can then "use" the beautiful properties of tourmaline at any time. Tourmaline oil is also sold. The vibrations or properties of the tourmaline would then be transferred to an oil that is good for your skin (almond oil for example).

How to care for my tourmaline

Tourmaline can be cared for in various ways. For example, you can charge it in moonlight. Note: tourmaline is better not to clean with water, if you do it too often it can damage the stone. Too much sunlight can fade the color.

Where does tourmaline come from?

The main deposits of the different types of tourmaline are Brazil and Pakistan.

History

In 1703, the Dutch introduced tourmaline to Europe from Sri Lanka. They named this stone "Turamali," and is said to mean "stone of mixed colors" in Sinhalese, the language of Sri Lanka.

Black tourmaline used to be used as protection against evil spirits and negative influences. Today, blocking negative influences and energies is still named as one of the stone's properties.

In the 300s, people discovered that black tourmaline can recharge itself (as described above under the heading "Healing properties and meaning of tourmaline"). In the 1800s, this was scientifically proven, and is now called the pyroelectric effect.

Red tourmaline was widely transported to China by Americans in the late 1800s. Empress regent Cixi was fond of the beautiful red stone. Tourmaline was mined in America especially for her, and then cut into the most beautiful jewelry and carved perfume bottles. In 1912 there was an economic crash in China, which also brought trade with America to a halt. The demand for red tourmaline from China (mainly from the empress) was so high that when the economic crash hit, the Americans could stop mining tourmaline because they had so much surplus.

Which horoscope fits tourmaline

Here are some different types of tourmaline and their corresponding horoscope.
Of course any stone can be good for you, try to sense it and see which one(s) you like.

Schorl (black): Libra and Scorpio
Rubellite (pink/red): Libra
Verdelite (green): Capricorn
Elbaite (green): Libra
Achroite (translucent): Aquarius
Dravite (brown): Aries

Which chakra fits tourmaline

Here are some different types of tourmaline and the chakra that matches.

Schorl (black): root (1st)
Rubellite (pink/red): root (1st)
Verdelite (green): heart (4th), third eye (6th)
Elbaite (green): heart (4th)
Indigolite (blue): throat (5th), third eye (6th)
Dravite (brown): root (1st)

The color of tourmaline

Tourmaline comes in different colors. Each color is caused by a different mineral, metal and/or iron type. Black and dark brown colors in tourmaline come from the presence of iron. Mangnesium provides a yellow to brown color. Many other colors come from lithium. The red/pink tourmaline, rubellite, has manganese. Rubellite is named after the red color of the gemstone Ruby.

Chemical composition: Differs by species
Mohs hardness: 7-7.5
Density: 2.82-2.3.32