Want to learn about Tourmaline? You've come to the right place to discover the wonderful world of Tourmaline, from geological facts to metaphysical healing properties.
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Can you benefit from Tourmaline crystals?
You may benefit from Tourmaline crystals if you can relate to any of the following:
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You seek a stone in a rainbow of colors
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You want a super strong protection crystal
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You love versatile stones with vast benefits
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You are intrigued with natural gemstones
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You want to reevaluate your lifestyle
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You wish to focus on positive thoughts
Tourmaline Stone Video
Watch the Tourmaline Stone Video for an overview of this stone and go over your answers to your top 5 questions.
While you are there, watch the entire A-Z Satin Crystals Meanings video series. We answer your questions on all of the most popular crystals. You can also post your questions and stories directly to the Youtube comments.
What is Tourmaline?
Tourmaline is a semi-precious gemstone encompassing a group of boron silicate minerals that all share the same crystal structure but vary in chemical composition. This variety in chemical compositions is why Tourmaline is found in more colors than any other crystal.
Tourmaline is pronounced "Tour-ma-leen".
How many types of Tourmaline are there?
Out of all of the crystal families in the world, Tourmaline comes in the widest variety of colors. The range of colors is caused by inclusions of copper, iron, manganese, chrome, and vanadium.
Here are a few types of Tourmaline you will find in the crystal world:
Achroite Tourmaline is a white or colorless stone. Achroite means colorless in Greek. This clear stone is a rare version of Tourmaline, especially when it is found without inclusions. In crystal healing, Achroite is used similar to Clear Quartz for aura cleansing and opening the Crown chakra.
Black Tourmaline is one of our most popular crystals to use for protection and grounding. Also known as Schorl, Black Tourmaline is an opaque stone that shows thin striated sides in its raw form and many natural pits, caves, and veins in its tumbled form. In healing, Black Tourmaline is known for its protective powers and its ability to turn negative thoughts into positive ones.
Blue Tourmaline, or Indicolite, ranges from light to dark blue. It may show hints of green, but the blue shade should be dominant. In crystal healing, Blue Tourmaline is used at the Throat chakra to open your communication channels. It is an encouraging stone, helping you to gather your courage and speak your truth.
Dravite Tourmaline is also known as Brown Tourmaline. It ranges from dark orange-brown to a yellow color, resembling Smoky Quartz. It is named after Davograd, Slovenia, where it was first described. In crystal healing, Dravite Tourmaline is used to accept and feel comfortable in your body and surroundings. Dravite Tourmaline is excellent for grounding the Root chakra.
Multi-colored Tourmaline displays a rainbow of colors ranging from brown, blue, white, deep pink to light green. You will find bi-colored stones and a mix of all the other types of Tourmaline found here when you are working with multi-colored Tourmaline. In crystal healing, Rainbow Tourmaline is associated with balancing emotions and the colorful gemstones can be concentrated at the Solar Plexus chakra.
Paraiba Tourmaline is a mesmerizing gemstone showing turquoise blue, green, and purple colors caused by copper inclusions. They are small, rare, and only come from the Paraiba area of Brazil, but a similar colored Tourmaline is also found in Nigeria. In crystal healing, Paraiba Tourmaline is used at the Third Eye chakra as a visionary stone. It is an excellent manifestation crystal.
Rubellite Tourmaline, or Red Tourmaline, is a member of the Tourmaline family ranging in color from pink to red. This gemstone helps balance the emotions when there is too much aggression caused by fear and frustration or too much passivity caused by poor self-esteem. Rubellite Tourmaline can be used to open and balance the Heart Chakra.
Tourmaline Quartz has dark needle-like inclusions of Black Tourmaline, red Rubellite, or Actinolite in a clear or white Quartz crystal. Tourmalinated Quartz helps to see the light in dark situations. The combined energies of Quartz and Tourmaline represent yin and yang energies, helping to balance the dualities in our lives.
Verdelite is a green Tourmaline varying from light to almost black depending on the amount of sodium in the stone. In crystal healing, Verdelite Tourmaline helps to balance the Heart chakra and harmonizes you to the natural world. Bring a little nature indoors!
Watermelon Tourmaline is a complex variety of Tourmaline which shows both an outer shell of green and inner crystal of reddish-pink. This is the best combination of colors to balance the Heart Chakra and the emotions. It helps us break down our rigid thoughts to be more open and flexible, balancing the conflicting forces within.
What is Tourmaline stone good for?
The Tourmaline family of stones is good for balancing all of the chakras. Because of its many colors, Tourmaline can work on each part of life you want to improve.
Besides checking in on the major areas of your life, here are some other healing powers associated with Tourmaline:
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Tourmaline is a muse, an inspirational stone
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Tourmaline helps to balance your emotions
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Tourmaline encourages seeing yourself as part of Universal Oneness
- Tourmaline electrifies your energies
How do you use Tourmaline for healing?
Here are some ideas on how you can use your Tourmaline stones for crystal healing:
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Grid Black Tourmaline around your space for protection
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Pair your Tourmaline with Moldavite for a spiritual experience
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Place your Blue Tourmaline at your Third Eye chakra to strengthen your intuition
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Wear Pink and Green Tourmaline at the Heart chakra for love
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Display well-formed Tourmaline crystals in your home or office for inspiration
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Hold Black Tourmaline in this Guided Meditation
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Wear Black, Brown, or Rubellite Tourmaline bracelets to ground your energies
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Use Blue Tourmaline when you need confidence in public speaking, singing, or performing
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Place Black Tourmaline at your computer to counteract harmful electro-magnetic vibrations
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Put Pink Tourmaline under your pillow for sweet and peaceful dreams
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Use a Multi-colored set of Tourmaline crystals to place on your chakras during a balancing session
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Decorate with Tourmaline spheres when you are seeking group harmony in your space
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Manifest while holding Tourmaline eggs, great for new beginnings and focusing on the positive
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Place a Tourmaline pyramid at your Crown chakra when accessing your Higher Self
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Carry Tourmaline Quartz with you when you want to balance yin and yang energies
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Gift Watermelon Tourmaline to represent your Divine Love
- Place Black Tourmaline facing the door to keep out unwanted guests
Sheila's personal experience with Tourmaline
My most prized Tourmaline crystal is a raw cluster that is naturally growing with one of my favorite stones, Lepidolite. One side of the white cluster is embedded with beautiful green Tourmaline crystals. The other side shines with purple Lepidolite.
This intriguing crystal stands in my office emanating with unique energies. Combining the calming energies of Lepidolite and the loving energies of Green Tourmaline, I feel peace whenever I look at or hold the stone. It reminds me to slow down my hectic days and relax, even if just for one moment.
Lisa's personal experience with Tourmaline
I like Tourmaline for its bold array of colors. With Tourmaline, you're sure to find whatever energy you need. Whether it's Black Tourmaline for protection, Pink Tourmaline for love, or Rainbow Tourmaline for happy chakras...you name it and Tourmaline has it.
My favorite Tourmaline is Tourmalinated Quartz. I love it when I can find white or clear Quartz pieces with defined blades of Black Tourmaline within them. The monochromatic stones light me up.
I also love Black Tourmaline laced within white Moonstone. Some spheres have intricate patterns that remind me of black lace over a snowy white drape. Along with the dramatic contrast of colors is the polarity in energy. White Moonstone is so calming and yin, while Black Tourmaline is tough and yang. It's a great balance.
What's your favorite?
What chakra is Tourmaline for?
Because of its many colors, Tourmaline is associated with many chakras. You can find a Tourmaline for each of your seven major chakras:
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Clear Tourmaline is associated with the Crown chakra.
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Paraiba Tourmaline is associated with the Third Eye chakra.
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Blue Tourmaline is associated with the Throat chakra.
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Green and Pink Tourmaline vibrate with the Heart chakra.
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Multi-colored Tourmaline vibrates with the Solar Plexus chakra.
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Orange or Brown Tourmaline is associated with the Sacral chakra.
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Rubellite and Black Tourmaline are associated with grounding and the Root chakra.
To learn more about crystals and your 7 chakras, visit the Chakra Guide.
Is Tourmaline a birthstone?
Tourmaline is a birthstone for October and the gemstone for the 8th wedding anniversary.
Find out which Zodiac signs Tourmaline is associated with in Birthstones by Month and Sign.
Magical Tourmaline Incantation
This is a message from Tourmaline from Doreen Virtue and Judith Lukomski's book "Crystal Therapy":
"As a family of healers, uniquely potent and exceptional in combination, we're providing an array of services in support of evolution and ascension. Hold us close to your skin, for our vibration in rings and pendants adds beauty and strength to your mission of light. We work gladly with those who embrace the beings of stars that bring new medicine into this world. Individually powerful, each of our colors transcend barriers of belief and understanding to culminate in facilitating shifts of consciousness. When we're used in chakra combinations, profound alterations occur that escalate the dynamic forces of unity and healing change."
A message from Black Tourmaline:
"A shelf of magnetic protection envelops you when I'm near, so invite me into your business settings to guide and look after you, and place me near your computer to reduce stress."
A message from Green Tourmaline:
"I'm a heart opener and an oasis of refreshment for your soul. Drink in my glow of fortification and healing properties through meditation and contemplation so that I can help calm your worries and rekindle your joy."
A message from Pink Tourmaline:
"Call on me when you're searching for love, for I open your heart to free expression and feeling, relieve past wounds, and release that which holds you bound to old patterns. In my presence, you discover a contagious sense of exhilaration."
A message from Watermelon Tourmaline:
"Bringing blessings of love in all manners to those who feel my call, I activate their heart chakra with intensity and speed. My miracle mirrors Divine love through partners, friends, family, and loved ones."
How do you take care of Tourmaline stones?
Tourmaline is one of the crystals that can be cleaned in water. Run it underwater and let it dry completely before using.
However, you should still be careful using the water method if your Tourmaline is in its raw form or has any natural fracture lines within its polished form. In this case, we recommend gently cleaning the crystal with a wet cloth.
It is not recommended to soak your raw Tourmaline stones, place them in salt water, nor keep them outside.
If you are looking to metaphysically cleanse, charge, and program crystals, visit our Crystal Care guide.
Does Tourmaline fade in sunlight?
Tourmaline may fade if heated or placed in prolonged, direct sunlight. If you are unsure, always keep your Tourmaline in indirect light.
Colorful Tourmalines are more susceptible to fading than the ones that are clear or black, but in general, this crystal will not fade with normal use.
Where should I put Tourmaline in my home?
In the home, Tourmaline can be placed in many areas depending on the color. Here are a few examples of where to place your Tourmaline according to the Feng Shui map:
- Place Pink Tourmaline in your "Marriage and Relationships" area
- Place Black Tourmaline in your "Career and Life Path" area
- Place Brown Tourmaline in your "Health" area
For more on placing crystals, visit How to Clear & Fill the Home with Crystals.
What does Tourmaline mean in divination?
Drawing Tourmaline in a gemstone divination session means: You are ready to evaluate your lifestyle and make necessary changes for growth. Use Tourmaline to unblock the parts of your life that are holding you back from progress.
Make the most of the rest of your time on earth and focus on the positive aspects of each day. Ensure that your body is healthy, your mind is balanced, and your soul is joyous with the help of your Tourmaline crystals.
Where does Tourmaline form?
Tourmaline forms in igneous rocks (crystallized molten rock) and metamorphic rocks (rocks that are changed by intense heat or pressure).
How is Tourmaline formed?
Tourmaline forms in pegmatites, which are fractures and voids deep underground. Hot waters and vapors of hydrothermal activity mix up the right combinations of minerals to form Tourmaline. When the liquids cool, the minerals crystallize. The pegmatite rock is usually granite or schist.
Less common than the pegmatite method, Tourmaline can also form during the metamorphic process of rocks. As the rocks change over time, the upper layers are worn away and the mineral veins where Tourmaline has formed are revealed.
Where can Tourmaline be found?
Tourmaline is found all over the world wherever gem-producing pegmatites are found. Most notably in Brazil, the USA (most common in California and Maine), Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Tanzania.
What are the mineral facts of Tourmaline?
Tourmaline is a relatively hard stone registering at 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. The Tourmaline family includes 38 different minerals.
Surface Color: Black, White, Clear, Brown, Yellow, Red, Pink, Purple, Blue, Green, Orange
Streak Color: (can vary from surface color, this is the color of the crystals’ powdered minerals): White
Family: Silicates
Cleavage (where the crystal breaks off naturally to form a new face, parallel to its structure. This is a clean break and can cleave over and over again along the same face, retaining the crystals structure): Indistinct
Fracture (where you break the crystal, not on a natural cleavage): Conchoidal – a clam-like fracture that looks like broken glass, Uneven
Luster: Vitreous (glass-like)
Tenacity: Brittle (breaks easily in its raw form)
Transparency: Transparent (can see through without obstructions), Opaque
Crystal System: Hexagonal (Trigonal) = 6 sided points
Crystal Habit: Parallel and elongated, prisms, radiating, massive, grains in granite
Is Tourmaline pyroelectric?
Tourmaline is pyroelectric (is electrically charged by temperature change) and piezoelectric (is electrically charged by pressure change). If the crystal is put under pressure or temperature change, it will generate an electric charge that can attract dust particles to attach to its ends.
How do you know if a Tourmaline is real or fake?
Because Tourmaline comes in so many varieties, it can be hard to identify. Make sure you are purchasing from a trusted vendor and if you are still unsure of the authenticity of your piece, you can send it to a certified gemstone testing laboratory.
If you have a raw Tourmaline, here are tips to tell if it is real:
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Real Tourmaline will have prismatic features - flat, long faces usually with rounded edges. It may be reminiscent of a pencil shape.
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Real Tourmaline has striations, long grooved lines running the lengthwise of the crystal faces
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Real Tourmaline will hold an electric charge under high heat or pressure
- Real Tourmaline is pleochroic, meaning it varies in color depending on the direction you are viewing it from. Usually, it's darker looking down the length and lighter looking through the side.
If you have a raw or polished Tourmaline, here are tips to tell if it is real:
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Real Multi-Colored Tourmaline will have rows of colors rather than scatterings
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Real Tourmaline has a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. It will not be scratched with a steel knife which is of lesser hardness.
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Real Tourmaline is rarely without inclusions. If it looks too clear, it should cost a lot or be in a gem museum.
What is the difference between Rubellite and Pink Tourmaline?
Rubellite Tourmaline ranges from pink to purple to a red-toned stone. Pink Tourmaline is exclusively pink, ranging from light to dark pink. The lines are blurred in the definition of these two names but think of Rubellite to have a more ruby-toned color than Pink Tourmaline.
Is Red Tourmaline rare?
Yes, pure Red Tourmaline is rare and highly prized for its colorful beauty.
Can Tourmaline be clear?
Clear Tourmaline is called Achroite. This colorless stone can occur naturally or by heating Pink Tourmaline.
Why is my Tourmaline breaking?
Tourmaline that has been in prolonged water, heat, or cold can break, depending on the stability of your particular crystal. Although it is relatively hard on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, Tourmaline can be very brittle, especially in its raw form.
All natural stones should be handled with care, regardless of their hardness.
Learn what to do with your Broken Crystals.
Is Tourmaline harmful to humans?
Tourmaline is not harmful to humans, so you can use and wear it without worry.
However, do not ingest Tourmaline. If you are making a gem elixir, make it through indirect methods.
Ready to buy Tourmaline?
Tourmaline is a positive addition to your crystal healing collection. Shop the Tourmaline Collection at Satin Crystals or buy your favorite pieces right here:
Your Tourmaline Journeys
Continue on your Tourmaline journeys with the following guides:
Tourmaline Reference Guides
Tourmaline Shopping Guides
Grow with Satin Crystals
How does Tourmaline make you feel?
Do you have any interesting healing stories to tell about Tourmaline? We would love to hear your positive comments and questions. Feel free to write to us below and we will get back to you.
