What is Tourmaline?

Tourmaline is a semi-precious stone that comes in a wide range of colors. It is a mineral classed as crystalline boron silicate and has a vitreous luster. Tourmaline has an opaque transparency and is part of the hexagonal crystal system. It comes in colors of black, pink, green, purple, rainbow, watermelon, and others. The meaning of Tourmaline is protection and grounding.

The History of Tourmaline

Rumored to be born from the rare energy of a rainbow, Tourmaline’s many shades ripple with imaginative play, joyful generosity, and attracting perfect prosperity. Created from silicate minerals, these precious stones can be found in a range of colors. One of the most well known is the midnight hued stone of the Black Tourmaline, but for those craving a splash of color, you can find Tourmaline crystals in brighter shades of pink, green, purple, and even medley like rainbow shades or the color of watermelon.

From India to Australia and beyond, Tourmaline is a worldly gem that can be found scattered across the globe. Its name comes from the Sinhalese term ‘Turmali’ which translates to unknown gemstone of mixed color, lending a sense of mystery to its makeup. Tourmaline can often be mistaken for other gemstones. In fact, there are Russian crown jewels that were celebrated for their wealth of rare rubies but actually turned out to be Tourmalines. In Brazil too, a Spanish knight believed he had unearthed an emerald, but it also turned out to be a variety of glowing Green Tourmaline. It certainly is a stone that likes to play on the senses.

The colorful Tourmaline varieties were said to have made their way from Sri Lanka over to Europe at the start of the 18th Century. It’s one of the only crystal stones that can be electrically charged which is a testament to its power. Nowadays, we tend to turn to Tourmaline when we crave balance and healing, with each kind of color connecting to a different part of our soul energy. To find out more about the potent healing powers of Tourmaline keep reading.

If Tourmaline has left you curious about all the other incredible gemstones and their potent natural powers, take a look at our Essential Crystal Guide and find your soul stone.

The Different Varieties of Tourmaline

There are many different shades and styles of Tourmaline, here’s a swift guide to the whole family.

Black Tourmaline 

Also known as Schorl, Black Tourmaline is the protector of the pack. This stone is all about shielding you from psychic attacks and keeping you feeling safe so you can step out into the world infused with purpose and self-confidence. You can read our in-depth guide to Black Tourmaline by clicking here.

Pink Tourmaline 

A nurturing shade of Tourmaline, the pink variety is all about pulling out compassion and gentleness and dealing with matters of the heart. For those who feel they need a dose of heart healing, Pink Tourmaline is your therapist. Its also known as Rubellite.

Green Tourmaline 

Green Tourmaline is an energy mover and shaker. Known for its life-giving vibes, it's ever ready to bring healing straight to the center of your heart and send it rippling out across the body. It’s an incredible stone for bringing virility, strength, and stamina both physically and emotionally. Its also known as Verdilite

Indicolite 

The Light blue version of Tourmaline is also known as Indicolite. This version of the healing crystal is interested specifically in encouraging clear, open, and honest communication. Its shimmering shades are similar to the flow of water, reminding us that transparency can bring true healing to the body, mind, and soul.

Purple Tourmaline

The radiant lavender shades of Purple Tourmaline also earn it the name of Siberite. This stone is known for its grounding and protective properties but is also an incredible gem for helping you to feel fully relaxed and ready to release emotional attachments.

Dravite

The earthly brown version of Tourmaline is also known as Dravite. This stone is all about anchoring you to the ground beneath your feet and keeping you steady, no matter how hard the winds of chaos are blowing.

Rainbow Tourmaline 

Rainbow Tourmaline comes in a myriad of hues blending every shade of the rainbow to restore balance. In the dance of light and color, the chakras are invited to flow. Rainbow Tourmaline is a rhythm for the soul.

Watermelon Tourmaline

As fresh and fruity as the beautiful ball of goodness after which it was named, the Watermelon Tourmaline represents the pink heart center and the outer shell you present to the world. It brings peace to the core and joy to those outside relationships.

Tourmaline Healing Properties

No matter which shade of Tourmaline speaks to your heart, they all bring a bounty of healing benefits to the table. Open your heart, clear your mind, and manifest the life you want with the true meaning of Tourmaline…

Physical Healing Properties

Ever ready to bring the physical body into luminous being, Tourmaline is an incredible immune system and nervous system aid. It loves to help your body take a healthy approach to digestion so for anyone who struggles with stomach issues, Tourmaline can be a tender healer. Tourmaline also helps to strengthen the bones and teeth. It lifts your hand-eye coordination capabilities and generally gives you a bright boost of health to make you feel physically strong and better. Green Tourmaline, in particular, is great for those who feel sluggish or suffer from chronic fatigue.

Mental & Emotional Healing Properties

Get a serious dose of positivity as you say yes to all the unconditional love that the Tourmaline stone is ready to share. While different shades of Tourmaline work to connect with different chakras, the main ones that the family tends to focus on is the heart chakra and the base chakra. One of the things that Tourmaline is amazing at is taking those shadowy negative thoughts and lending a positive spin.

Green Tourmaline is the stone you want on your side if you need to practice a little more self-compassion in life.

Black Tourmaline cuts through anxiety like a hot knife through butter.

Pink Tourmaline brings gentle joy and swathes of self-love to the party.

Blue Tourmaline is all about helping you softly work through trauma to get to a place of deep and true healing.

Red Tourmaline is an excellent confidence booster and an exceptional tool for those who tend to have fallen into a state of passivity and need to take more action.

Metaphysical Properties

From the root chakra to the crown chakra, the heart chakra to the third eye, Tourmaline works with all the chakras to keep the energy flowing in full force. While different shades work with different chakras, the heart and the root chakra tend to be the most connected with Tourmaline. When our heart chakras are blocked we struggle to give and receive love with free authenticity and can become a little shutdown and too ready to shut others out. With a clear heart chakra, we are open and brimming with deep compassion. The root chakra is how we feel safe and steady in this wide wild world. When our root chakra is firm it is like the tree, we are able to invite our branches to grow and bloom in many different directions, all without shaking our foundations.

Zodiac Birthstone

Libra and Virgo both make full use of the healing powers of true Tourmaline. Librans can be beautifully diplomatic, fair, and even a little idealistic which makes them wonderfully just people to be around. Tourmaline ensures that they are stay protected and don’t get taken advantage off while they move through life. As Librans can also be a little indecisive, using Red Tourmaline can be an amazing way to encourage yourself to take action and make the decisions that come straight from the core of your own true heart.

Virgos are strong contenders; they are bright and passionate and seem to move through life at a glide. But scratch beneath the surface of these happy go lucky types and there’s a sensitive soul to be found. Virgos actually are really good at masking their emotions which can lead to the soul being off balance. By turning to the hues of Tourmaline, Virgos can learn to align their external communication with their internal and to channel their emotions in a healthy processing way rather than working to bury their feelings deep.

If you are interested to know which zodiac sign fits which birthstone, take a look at our astrological gemstone guide right here. 

Using this Gemstone

Check out our Black Tourmaline Bracelet

Whether you want to wear Tourmaline in gemstone jewelry, if you want to find yourself some tumble stones or a single worry stone for your pocket, or if you are looking for Tourmaline spheres to place upon your crystal altar, there are so many ways you can bring Tourmaline into your world and make the most of its myriad healing powers.

Home & Office 

All those wanting to bring powerful protective vibes into their home should turn to the energy of Black Tourmaline. This stone is excellent for placing at entranceways or any space that you feel needs to be kept sacred and safe. If you are looking to bring abundance and peace into your home, then Green Tourmaline in the office can lead to a healthier work mindset where you don’t drive yourself to the bone but keep your potential running at an all-time high. For those who want to make their bedroom a place of softness and love, Pink Tourmaline is the gemstone to have beneath your pillow or radiating compassion on your bedside table.

Jewelry

One of the best ways of using Tourmaline crystals is to turn to the direct healing power of jewelry. Whether a Black Tourmaline Bracelet to serve as a cloak of protection or a Rainbow Tourmaline Bracelet to keep all your chakras open and energized, the best thing about Tourmaline jewelry is its ability to send those sweet vibrations directly into the skin. Direct skin contact is one of the most powerful ways to soak up healing energy from your crystals as there is no barrier between you and the vibrations buzzing from your gemstone.

If you are looking for stones that also suit being worn at the same time as Tourmaline you can opt for dark and dreamy Obsidian, the soothing and serene vibes of Amethyst, protective Onyx, gentle Agate, cool Kyanite, the twinkle of Peridot, the soft light of Rose Quartz, and the glowing orb of Opal.

How to Cleanse your Tourmaline

Keeping your Tourmaline stones cleansed and charged is the best way to keep them working in the light of their fullest and most fabulous power. All crystals can get a little clogged up, especially as they are working with so much energy and while this isn’t by any means harmful, it may serve to hinder the power you are sending out. Imagine if your smartphone was stuttering along on low battery and apply this to crystals. While gemstones don’t need cleansing and charging every single day or even weeks, it does do the crystals a favor to run some water over them and pat them dry every now and then, and especially after a big energy session or when you are feeling like you have poured a lot of emotion into your crystals.

Charging up your Tourmaline can be as simple as leaving them in the moonlight for a night or tumbling them with other clear quartz crystals that are more than happy to lend a little extra zing. It is especially important to take these steps with the Black Tourmaline o other such protective stones.

Geological Properties

Final Thoughts on Tourmaline

We love all the properties of Tourmaline for their voracious versatility. You can pick the shade that speaks to your own soul and aligns with your own unique direction when it comes to healing and finding pathways that bring out your authentic self. Whether you crave a little more protection in life or whether you are ready to fully peel back the petals of your heart and say a great big yes to the world, there is always a Tourmaline out there that will work with you and for you to bring a burst of positive energy.

Which style of Tourmaline is calling your name? Share your favorite in the comments.