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 multicolored. Tourmaline along with opal is birthstones of Libra. The time starts from Sept 23 to Oct 23. Multicolored Tourmaline is the anniversary gemstone for the 8th year of marriage. Tourmaline with its amazing range of colors 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 the name schrol. Colored 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 colored crystals of tourmaline are very strongly dichroic i.e., they are of different color when viewed in the direction of different axes.
Tourmaline comes in many colors such as blue, yellow, pink, red, black, green and clear. Color 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 colors of Tourmaline, which is called Green Tourmaline. Paraiba is another variation of Tourmaline that possesses a bright greenish blue color. Canary Tourmaline refers to the yellowish Tourmaline. It is this range and combination of colors 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 color, Magnesium tourmaline that is brown in colour, alkali tourmaline, which may be pink i.e. rubellite, green i.e. Brazilian emerald, or colorless 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
tranquility 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 colors 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 color 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.
Gemstones for Planets
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