Tourmaline is borosilicate mineral of complex and variable composition. Tourmaline is very abundant and has the best-developed crystals in pegmatites and in metamorphosed limestones in contact with granites magmas. One peculiarity of tourmaline is that one crystal when heated acquires an electric charge and attracts small objects such as hair or small pieces of paper.

Rubbing crystal imparts a similar charge as well. The name "Tourmaline" came from the Sinhalese name of Turmali or tormally that means multicoloured. Tourmaline along with opal is birthstones of Libra. The time starts from September 23 to October 23.

Multicoloured Tourmaline is the anniversary gemstone for the 8th year of marriage. Tourmaline with its amazing range of colours really is an interesting gemstone that captures everyone`s imagination, love and wonderment and makes it an envied possession as well.

Tourmaline was known by centuries by its name. Coloured crystals were imported from Sri Lanka at the beginning of the 18th century. During medieval days, tourmaline was thought to heal physical and mental disorders as well as prevent death. This is used as a gem for over 2,000 years. In addition to its use as a gem, tourmaline is employed in pressure devices because of its piezoelectric properties. It has been used in depth-sounding apparatus and other devices that detect and measure variations in pressure. The coloured crystals of tourmaline are very strongly dichroic i.e., they are of different colour when viewed in the direction of different axes.

Types of Tourmaline
Tourmaline comes in many colours such as blue, yellow, pink, red, black, green and clear. Colour can be called as the most distinguishing property of a Tourmaline. Because of its various colours, it is named in different way. Some can be mentioned as Ruby like red Tourmaline. This is called the Rubelite. Again, there is green emerald like colours of Tourmaline, which is called Green Tourmaline. Paraiba is another variation of Tourmaline that possesses a bright greenish blue colour. Canary Tourmaline refers to the yellowish Tourmaline. It is this range and combination of colours that has made this gemstone a favorite to both the traders as well as to the scientists. Green is from iron, chromium and vanadium, pink from manganese. Some crystals are pink at one end and green at the other.

There are usually three types of tourmaline, distinguished by the predominance of certain elements. These can be mentioned as Iron tourmaline that is black in colour, Magnesium tourmaline that is brown in colour, alkali tourmaline, which may be pink i.e. rubellite, green i.e. Brazilian emerald, or colourless i.e. achroite.

Tourmaline should be protected from scratches and sharp blows. Drastic temperature changes should always be avoided. Tourmaline should not be cleaned in a home ultrasonic cleaner.

Healing properties of Tourmaline
Tourmaline can bring Tourmaline Butterfly Pendanttranquility and serenity into someone`s life. Tourmaline calms nerves, regulates hormones, and fights against genetic disorders. Schorl relieves arthritis pain and helps in fighting heart diseases. Tourmaline is said to dispel fear, negativity and grief. According to legend, the tourmaline of all colours protects the wearer against many dangers and misfortune as well. Tourmaline looks beautiful in rings, necklaces, and pendants.

Rubellite is believed to enhance creativity, to increase fertility, to smooth away passive or aggressive nature. Schorl usually releases anxiety, raises altruism, deflects negativity, neutralizes distorted energies, i.e. resentment and insecurity.

Tourmaline is the stone into which nature has poured down all its beauty and gorgeousness. For its varied colour combinations, Tourmaline can be called the rainbow gemstone. This gemstone Tourmaline has a hardness amounting to 7-7.5 in Moh`s scale. Its Specific Gravity is 3.06 and Refractive Index is 1.610-1.650. It is a kind of silicate mineral.