From the deep green of emeralds to the fiery red of rubies, gemstones come in a wide variety of colors. And tourmaline is no different. This gemstone can be found in every rainbow color and then some. In fact, tourmaline is one of the most colorful gemstones in the world.
But tourmaline is more than just a pretty face. This gemstone has a long history dating back to ancient times. And it has a host of different benefits that make it a popular choice for jewelry and other items.
So, if this brilliant gemstone has sparked your interest, continue reading for the complete tourmaline guide.
What is a Tourmaline Gemstone: Meaning & History
Tourmaline is a semi-precious gemstone that belongs to the boron silicate family. The variety of colors it occurs in makes this gemstone easy to confuse with others.
The term “tourmaline” originates from the Sinhalese word “Turmali,” which translates to “stone of mixed hues.”
Tourmaline was first discovered in the early 18th century by Dutch sailors. These sailors noticed that the tourmaline attracted small pieces of straw and other debris. They called this phenomenon “aschentrekker,” which means “ash puller” in Dutch.
This gemstone has a long and storied history—evidence of its usage dates back to ancient Egypt and was also popular among Native Americans. Tourmaline was also a popular choice for Victorians, who used it in various jewelry and other decorative objects.
There are a number of legends and myths about tourmaline. One legend says that the stone is actually the tears of dragons. Another legend says that tourmaline can protect you from evil spirits.
But the most famous legend about tourmaline is that the stone can change its color. This legend says that if you wear tourmaline, the stone will change color to match your mood. Isn’t that amazing?
Where Does Tourmaline Gemstone Come From?
Where in the world can you find tourmaline? Well, this gemstone is found in several different countries. Some of the most popular places to find tourmaline include Brazil, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Mozambique, and the United States.
And if you’re looking for the biggest and best tourmalines, you’ll want to head to Brazil. This country is responsible for producing some of the largest tourmalines in the world. In fact, the largest tourmaline ever found was in Brazil. This stone weighed a whopping 24 pounds!
What Colors Does Tourmaline Come In?
When it comes to gemstones, tourmalines have the broadest spectrum of colors. You may probably find a tourmaline in every hue you can imagine, from the palest pink to the darkest green. To be precise, tourmaline comes in more than a hundred distinct colors.
So, what are the most popular colors of tourmaline?
Well, that depends on your personal preference. From the list of green gems to the list of red and purple gems, tourmaline has made its imprint.
But some of the most popular colors include green tourmaline, pink tourmaline, blue tourmaline, and black tourmaline. Different types of tourmaline can demand different prices. For example, green tourmaline is usually more expensive than pink tourmaline.
Tourmaline’s distinctiveness lies in the fact that it often appears in multicolored varieties. This means you can find a tourmaline stone with two or even three different colors. These stones are often referred to as “watermelon tourmalines” because they resemble the popular summer fruit.
If you’re looking for a truly unique piece of jewelry, you’ll want to look for a watermelon tourmaline. These stones are truly one-of-a-kind and can turn heads wherever you go.
What is the Difference Between Tourmaline and Other Gemstones?
Now that you know more about tourmaline, you may wonder how it stacks up against other gemstones. Here is a quick comparison of tourmaline and some other famous gems.
- Tourmaline is harder than quartz but softer than topaz.
- In terms of brittleness, tourmaline ranks right in the middle. It’s not as brittle as opal but not as tough as diamond.
- For the refractive index, tourmaline is lower than diamond but higher than sapphire.
- Tourmaline has a lower specific gravity than most other gemstones.
- Regarding durability, tourmaline is on par with other popular gemstones like amethyst and aquamarine.
Physical Properties of Tourmaline
So, now you know the basics about this colorful wonder. But if you’re into the nitty-gritty details, here are some tourmaline properties that you might find interesting.
- Tourmaline gemstone has a Mohs hardness of 7 to 7.5, which means they’re pretty tough. But they’re not as tough as diamonds, which have a Mohs hardness of 10.
- The crystal system of tourmalines is trigonal, which means that each crystal has three faces.
- Tourmalines come in several shapes, from rounds and ovals to hearts and cushion cuts.
- Although tourmaline gemstones come in a wide range of sizes, the typical one weighs around 5 carats.
- The specific gravity of tourmaline can range from 2.64 to 3.03.
- Tourmalines have a refractive index of 1.614 to 1.650. Wondering what that means? It means that tourmalines have a higher refractive index than most other gemstones, which means that they’re more sparkly. Moreover, tourmalines have a dispersion of 0.013, which means they’re pretty sparkly.
- Tourmalines exhibit twofold refraction, which means that light is refracted twice while traveling through them. This is what gives tourmalines their unique
- As we previously discussed, there are many various colors of tourmalines. However, you may need to be aware that tourmalines may also be colorless. In fact, colorless tourmalines are actually pretty rare.
- Because tourmalines are piezoelectric, pressure may cause them to produce electricity. This is why you’ll find tourmalines in so many standard electrical devices, like cell phones. The pyroelectric property of tourmalines allows them to generate electricity when heated potentially. In the 18th century, a Dutch scientist named van Tourmalijn discovered this feature first.
- Tourmalines are also thermoelectric! This means that they can generate electricity when they’re heated or cooled. Tourmalines are actually used in some infrared detectors because of this property.
Now, did we overdose you on information? We hope not because there is so much more to learn about tourmalines. But we hope that this gives you a good starting point.
Also See: Top 10 Rarest Gem in The World
Price Range: What is the Tourmaline Stone Worth
Here comes the part you’ve all been waiting for – how much is a tourmaline worth? Well, the answer to that question is more complex than you might think. Tourmalines come in a wide range of colors, sizes, and shapes, so their prices can vary widely.
For example, a large, rare, and high-quality tourmaline can fetch a price of tens of thousands of dollars. On the other hand, a small, low-quality tourmaline might only be worth a few hundred dollars.
So, what’s the bottom line? Tourmalines are worth whatever someone is willing to pay for them. However, we can give you a general idea of how much tourmalines are worth by looking at the prices of some common tourmaline jewelry, such as tourmaline rings.
Tourmaline rings can range in price from $200 to $10,000, depending on the abovementioned factors. If you’re looking for a tourmaline ring on a budget, you can find one for around $200-$250. But if you’re looking for a high-quality, rare tourmaline ring, you might have to pay upwards of $5,000.
Various Benefits of Tourmaline Gemstone
But tourmalines are not just pretty stones; they also have various benefits. Here are just a few of them:
- Tourmaline is a stunning gemstone that comes in a wide variety of colors, including green, blue, pink, red, yellow, black, and even colorless. Thus, they make a perfect candidate for beautiful and unique jewelry.
- There are many astrological benefits of tourmaline. For example, green tourmalines are said to bring luck, success, and abundance. Blue tourmalines are said to be helpful for those who want to achieve their goals. Pink tourmalines are said to benefit those who want to find love.
- There are also claims about tourmaline’s metaphysical properties. One popular belief is that tourmalines may assist in chakra balancing and speed up the healing process.
- For industrial purposes, tourmalines are often used in electronic devices like cell phones because they are piezoelectric (as we mentioned earlier).
- Tourmalines are also said to have benefits for the skin. According to popular belief, they can help to improve circulation and promote detoxification.
Hands-on Tips for Maintaining Your Tourmaline Gemstone
Now that you’ve graduated from Tourmaline 101, it’s time to learn how to take care of your tourmaline gemstone.
Here are a few tips:
- If you’re a ring owner wondering how to take care of a tourmaline ring- the best way is to avoid exposing it to harsh chemicals and cleaners. You should also not drop or knock it against hard surfaces.
- To clean your tourmaline gemstone, simply use warm water and mild soap. You can also use a soft toothbrush to scrub the stone gently. Avoid extreme heat or cold exposure, as this can damage the stone.
- Remove your tourmaline jewelry before strenuous activities, such as exercising or gardening.
- When storing your tourmaline gemstone, wrap it in a soft cloth and place it safely away from other jewelry that could scratch it.
Also See: Gemstone According To Horoscope
FAQs
Red tourmaline is the rarest color of tourmaline. Blue tourmaline is also quite rare. At the same time, black tourmaline is the most common color of tourmaline.
The best way to tell if a tourmaline is real is to take it to a professional jeweler for evaluation. However, you can also do a few things at home to check if your tourmaline is real. For example, you can check for tourmaline’s signature properties, such as its pyroelectricity (the ability to generate electricity when heated) and piezoelectricity (the ability to generate electricity when pressure is applied). You can also try the float test: real tourmalines will sink in water, while fake tourmalines will float.
Paraiba tourmaline is the most expensive color of tourmaline. This is because Paraiba tourmalines are very rare; they are only found in one place in the world and have a gorgeous electric blue color.
Ready to Upgrade Your Stash with a Tourmaline Gemstone?
You have to admit; tourmalines are some pretty incredible gemstones, don’t you think? It’s time to add one (or more) tourmaline to your jewelry collection if you haven’t already. They have a wide range of practical use and can make stunning ornaments for jewelry.
So what are you waiting for? Start shopping for tourmalines.
