Tourmaline: A Gemstone Full of Mystery, Color, and Energy
If there’s one gemstone that never ceases to surprise me, it’s tourmaline. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to explain to people that their “ruby” was actually a deep pink rubellite or that their “emerald” was, in fact, a verdelite tourmaline. Even in history, tourmaline has played the role of a shape-shifter, often mistaken for other precious gems due to its incredible range of colors.
What’s fascinating is that, despite its worldwide distribution, tourmaline wasn’t widely recognized in ancient civilizations. Unlike amethyst, turquoise, or carnelian, it didn’t have the same long-documented history—likely because its diverse hues made it too easy to confuse with more famous stones.
A Rainbow Stone with a Mysterious Past
One of my favorite stories about tourmaline comes from ancient Egypt. According to legend, this gemstone traveled from the earth’s depths to the surface by passing through a rainbow, absorbing all its colors along the way. This idea makes sense when you consider that tourmaline exists in nearly every shade imaginable—sometimes even multiple colors within the same crystal!
Tourmaline made its official debut in Europe in the early 1700s, when Dutch traders brought it back from Ceylon (modern Sri Lanka). They called it “turmali,” which in Sinhalese simply means “mixed colors.” The name stuck, and by the 19th century, the stone had become a favorite among jewelers as new varieties and sources were discovered.
Tourmaline’s Hidden Superpower: Electricity
Something that most people don’t realize is that tourmaline is naturally electric. Yes, you read that right!
When heated or rubbed, tourmaline generates an electrical charge, allowing it to attract small dust particles—a phenomenon known as pyroelectricity. This was known long before scientists could explain it, but in the early 20th century, Pierre and Marie Curie finally confirmed this property.
Chemically, tourmaline is a boron silicate, and its structure allows for a high degree of elemental substitution. This is why it comes in such an astonishing variety of colors—different elements act as chromophores, giving each stone its unique hue.
A World of Color: Tourmaline Varieties
Of all the tourmaline species, elbaite is the most well-known. First discovered on Elba Island, Italy, this variety includes some of the most prized tourmalines, many of which have their own names:
• Achroite – Colorless
• Rubellite – Pink to red (manganese, iron)
• Indicolite – Blue (iron)
• Verdelite – Green (iron, titanium)
• Chrome Tourmaline – Vivid green (chromium, vanadium)
• Siberite – Reddish-purple
• Watermelon Tourmaline – Pink core with green edges
• Dravite – Brown to golden yellow (iron)
• Paraiba Tourmaline – Neon blue to green (copper, manganese)
One of the most unique tourmalines is liddicoatite, which was only classified as a separate species in 1977. What makes it so fascinating is its zoned color pattern, which forms in concentric layers as the crystal grows. Each band tells a story about the changing conditions of the mineral’s formation—a time capsule in gemstone form.
Paraiba Tourmaline – The Gem That Changed the Market
For a long time, blue gemstones were overlooked—they weren’t seen as particularly valuable. But everything changed with Paraiba tourmaline, the king of tourmalines. Its neon, almost glowing color revolutionized the market, and now any stone with a similar hue instantly draws attention.
As Paraiba prices skyrocketed, people began searching for alternatives. Apatites, which were once barely considered gemstones, now fetch significant prices. Blue zircons, topazes, and even rare beryls—anything that remotely resembles Paraiba has become highly sought after.
Tourmaline in Jewelry: Beauty with Purpose
While most people associate tourmaline with jewelry, what I love most about it is its energetic properties.
For example, green tourmaline (verdelite) is known as a heart chakra stone, believed to foster emotional balance, generosity, and a deeper connection to nature. Many say it elevates mood and promotes inner harmony.
Pink and green tourmalines are linked to the fourth chakra, making them stones of love and emotional healing. Watermelon tourmaline, in particular, is said to activate both the heart and thymus gland, supporting physical vitality and emotional well-being.
Wearing these stones over time—whether as a pendant or ring—is thought to gradually attune the wearer to their energy.
Jewelry tip: If you wear a tourmaline ring, opt for an open setting so the stone touches your skin. Occasionally place your hand over your heart to deepen the connection.
Tourmalinated Quartz: The Stone of Balance
One of the most striking variations is tourmalinated quartz, where black tourmaline needles are suspended within clear quartz. This combination is seen as a balancing stone, bringing harmony between:
• Spiritual and material worlds
• Logic and intuition
• Earth and air elements
It’s a grounding yet clarifying stone, often recommended for meditation or for those who need to regain mental focus.
Black Tourmaline: The Ultimate Protector
Of all the tourmalines, black tourmaline (schorl) is the most widely used in metaphysical practices. It’s considered the strongest protective stone, absorbing negative energy and shielding against harmful influences.
It’s also deeply grounding, helping to stabilize emotions, reduce fear, and enhance confidence. Many people use black tourmaline in root chakra work, as it fosters a sense of security and connection to the earth.
Energy practice tip: Hold black tourmaline while meditating, or place it near your feet to reinforce its grounding effect.
Indicolite vs. Lagoon Tourmaline: Where’s the Line?
Blue tourmaline is called indicolite, but when a noticeable green hue appears, it transitions into lagoon tourmaline. The boundary between the two is blurred, and much depends on color perception.
✔ Indicolite – A deep blue shade that can range from dark to light, sometimes with a subtle turquoise tint. The purer the blue, the more valuable the stone.
✔ Lagoon Tourmaline – A blend of blue and green, though not as vivid as Paraiba. Its color resembles tropical lagoon waters—deep, cool, and mesmerizing.
In warm lighting, even indicolite can appear slightly greenish, while lagoon tourmaline may look more blue. This makes classification challenging and fuels ongoing debates among gemologists.
Ultimately, beauty is what matters most. Pure indicolite is rarer, while lagoon tourmaline is more common but equally fascinating. In the end, it all comes down to which shade captivates you more.
A small but interesting fact: you might be carrying a former tourmaline crystal in your phone. Some types of tourmaline, such as elbaite, can be used as an ore for extracting lithium, which is a key component of batteries.
Although tourmaline is rarely used for this purpose on a large scale due to the difficulty of lithium extraction, the possibility still exists.
Why do tourmalines come in two-tone, three-tone, or even “watermelon” varieties? The reason lies in their complex chemical composition. Tourmaline is not just a single mineral but an entire group. Different colors within one crystal occur because its various parts can belong to different mineral species.
For example, at the top of the crystal, near the pinacoid, tourmaline might be black—this is schorl. In the middle, it could be green—this is verdelite, and at the base, it might be yellow, corresponding to dravite. This results in different colors blending smoothly within a single crystal. This phenomenon is called solid solution or isomorphism. Tourmalines with such color transitions are known as polychrome tourmalines.
Growth phases can create a wide variety of colorations, including watermelon tourmalines. In this case, the process is similar, but the composition changes not vertically but radially—from the center to the outer layers.
Tourmaline prices
Tourmaline prices vary widely, from $100 per carat for brownish-orange dravite to over $1,000 per carat for premium neon varieties. The most expensive is Brazilian Paraíba tourmaline, fetching tens of thousands per carat due to its rarity and electric blue-green color. Other highly valued types include Tiffany Blue tourmaline ($1,000+ per carat for top-quality stones over 3 carats), Lagoon tourmaline ($600+ per carat), and Bubble Gum pink tourmaline ($600–$1,000 per carat). Deep red rubellites range from $300 to $1,000 per carat, while high-quality indicolite (blue tourmaline) starts at $600–$700 per carat. Green tourmalines (verdelite) range from $300 to $600 per carat, with the purest emerald-green shades being the most desirable.
You can find more about current tourmaline prices in this article.
Final Thoughts
Tourmaline is, without a doubt, one of the most versatile and fascinating gemstones out there. It’s a stone that defies easy classification—shifting between colors, carrying an electric charge, and forming unique patterns that reveal its geological history.
Whether you wear it for its beauty, energy, or scientific intrigue, there’s always more to discover about tourmaline. For me, that’s what makes it such a thrilling gem to work with—no two are ever the same, and each one has its own story to tell.
Olga Bachurina,
Co-Founder of Venus in Libra,
Certified by GIA & Gübelin Academy
