Tourmaline Properties, Facts and Photos

What is Tourmaline?

The name tourmaline describes a group of more than thirty different minerals. Although they all share a common crystal structure and many physical properties, their chemical composition is not the same.

Tourmaline, which is considered one of the most complicated groups of silicate minerals, occurs in more colours and colour combinations than any other group of minerals. 

Vertical striations are a typical characteristic and can often be used to confirm identification. 

Striations, which are part of a mineral's crystal habit, are present in several minerals, including pyrite, quartz, and apophyllite. 

Striations are narrow grooves or ridges that often appear as parallel lines. On transparent crystals, they can be mistaken for scratches.

It's common for tourmaline to have fractures and inclusions. 

The most common variety of tourmaline is schorl. This mineral is black and always opaque. Schorl crystals vary in size from very small to very large.

Quartz included with fine crystals of tourmaline is known as tourmalinated quartz.

Dravite is brown tourmaline, although exact shades of colour can vary.

Elbaite is one of the most colourful and well-known varieties of tourmaline. It can occur in almost every colour and can also be bi-coloured or multi-coloured.

Elbaite, which has a lithium-rich composition, often exhibits pleochroism. This optical phenomenon enables different colours to be seen depending on the angle from which the crystal is viewed.

When polished as a cabochon, some varieties of tourmaline can be chatoyant.

Despite the many colours in which tourmaline can be found, its streak is always white.  

Rubellite occurs in various shades of red. The name originates from the Latin 'rubellus' meaning 'reddish'. Rubellite and watermelon tourmaline are both varieties of elbaite.

Tourmaline has pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties, meaning it can generate an electric charge under heat or mechanical stress.

Flawless crystals can be used in certain electronics, but finding a flawless tourmaline crystal is not easy.

Tourmaline can be found in many countries around the world. Some of the finest crystals come from Africa, the Ural Mountains of Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and the USA. The largest deposits are in the Minas Gerais state of Brazil.

Tourmaline grades 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Although relatively hard, it's brittle so will break or fracture easily.

On the Traditional Birthstone Chart tourmaline is the birthstone for October. On the Modern Chart, opal is October's birthstone but tourmaline is an alternative.

Tourmaline Healing Properties

Tourmaline cleanses and purifies, grounds spiritual energy, and clears and balances the chakras.

Due to its piezoelectric properties, it stimulates the aura to capture positive energy.

Pink tourmaline is associated with the heart chakra. It can be used to attract new love and strengthen an existing relationship. Black is widely used for protection.      
Tourmaline helps us gain a deep mental understanding of ourselves and situations. It can find solutions to complicated problems and is a powerful mental healer. It can also ease paranoia and irrational fears and promote self-confidence.

A stone of compassion, tourmaline increases tolerance and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.

For those who are creative, tourmaline can be used for inspiration and to stimulate imagination.

Heat can cause tourmaline's colour to fade, so it should never be left in the sun. A sudden temperature change may also cause crystals to crack.

Article Pictures

The first and third pictures in our article are of Elbaite from Brazil.  The second is Schorl.

Pictures are clickable and redirect to the original photo. Photos courtesy of Stan Celestian.

Pop-up photos: Pyrite, Tourmaline, Rubellite - Courtesy of Stan Celestian. Dravite - Stone Mania.