Tourmaline

Tourmaline is one of the most important mineral groups for metaphysical use.  Its includes a wide variety of different forms and colors.  Although Tourmaline can be found on every continent, fine crystals specimens and gems are still considered as rare and often command high prices.

Tourmaline is a complex aluminum borosilicate with a hardness of 7 to 7.5.  It crystal pattern is hexagonal (trigonal) with prismatic crystals and striations running parallel to the main axis. Tourmaline can be red, pink, yellow, brown, black and various shades of green, blue lilac and violet. The Tourmaline family in the world of minerals is like the rainbow in the sky that exhibit nearly the entire spectrum of light.

Some of the varieties of tourmalines are Rubellite (red), Indicolite (blue), Chromolite (rich green), Canary (bright yellow), Watermelon (green-edge and red-heart combo) Paraiba (intense green to rich blue), Schorl (Black), Dravite ( Brown), Bi-color (more than one colored), Cats eye (variety of colors) and Color-change (Color changes with light from red to green). Rests of the tourmalines are just called with the color prefix like pink-tourmaline. The color of the stone takes a different hue depending on the mineral and the proportion in which is present in it. Pariba tourmaline, one of the rarer members is said to have copper in small amount and even traces of gold and are popular because of its spirited blue color.

Besides having the widest variation in color, tourmaline exhibits the property of pyroelectricity, similar to the property of piezoelectricity (from pressure) which quartz crystals exhibit.  Heating and cooling, or rubbing a Tourmaline crystal can cause it to become electrically charged. When charged, one end of the crystal will become negative and the other end positive, and it will attract dust particles and even small pieces of paper.

The major area where Tourmaline is found includes Brazil, the United States, Africa, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and Russia.

In general tourmalines can be used for many metaphysical purpose, including healing, balancing, grounding and improving of energy ( qi ) circulation. The usage will defer with respect to the unique properties that individual member exhibit.  For example Schorl, black tourmaline, is commonly used to repel and protect from negativity and has been a favorite stone for grounding during mediation and astral traveling. 

More properties for selected varieties of tourmalines can be found on their individual pages:

Rubellite
Indicolite
Chromolite
Schorl
Dravite

References:

1. The Book of Stones – Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian
2. Love is the Earth – Melody
 

More pictures of Tourmaline here.