 | Black Tourmaline (Schorl) is a powerful protective stone; protecting from all electromagnetic radiation, including that from mobile phones and computers, and also from psychic attacks of all descriptions. It is a good grounding stone. Black Tourmaline aids the releases of negative thoughts as well as stress and tension, and increases vitality. It strengthens the immune system, reduces pain and benefits those with arthritis.
Photo shows Black Tourmaline crystals.
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|  | Blue Tourmaline (Indocoloite) protects from negative energies. It helps heal emotional wounds and suffering. It enables effective and honest verbal communication. Blue Tourmaline reduces pain, (especially connected to the sinuses) and is a great healing aid. It particularly benefits the lungs, throat, thyroid, thymus, larynx, oesophagus and most of all the heart.
Photo shows a Blue Tourmaline crystal. |
|  | Pink Tourmaline (Rubelite) enhances will power, wisdom and empathy. It increases creativity, and promotes the acceptance of the feminine side. Pink Tourmaline aids relaxation, and benefits the heart on all levels, including energising the heart chakra to move from the lower to higher status.
Photo shows Pink Tourmaline rough rocks.
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|  | Green Tourmaline (Verdelite) balances the emotions and brings a sense of peace. It reduces anxieties, helps overcome phobias and calms the nerves. It aids sleeping and benefits the heart, thymus and immune system.
Photo shows Green Tourmaline crystals.
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|  | Watermelon Tourmaline (Bicolour) is one of the best crystals for the heart chakra; having both green and pink colouring. It aids the grieving process and enables the release of locked emotions. It then supports the emotions as adaptations are made.
Photo shows the colours of Watermelon Tourmaline.
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| ![Tourmaline Mineralogy]() | The Tourmaline Group has a general formula of AX3Y6(BO3)3 Si6O18(O, OH, F)4. The A can be either calcium or sodium. The X can be either aluminum, iron, lithium or magnesium. The Y is usually aluminum, but can also be chromium or iron. Some potassium can be in the A position, some manganese can be in the X position and some vanadium can be found in the Y position, but these elements are usually not represented in the formulas of the tourmaline members. Mineral class is Silicates, subclass Cyclosilicates and group is Tourmalines.
There are several varieties of Tourmaline, however they share some properties. They are piezoelectric which means that when a crystal is heated or compressed (or vibrated) a different electrical charge will form at opposite ends of the crystal (an electrical potential). Conversely, if an electrical potential is applied to the crystal, it will vibrate. Secondly they are pleochroic which means that the crystal will look darker in color when viewed down the long axis of the crystal than when viewed from the side. This property goes beyond the idea that the crystal is just thicker in that direction. Even equally dimensioned crystals will demonstrate this trait.
Crystals are translucent to opaque with a vitreous lustre. Crystal habits include massive and elongated three sided prisms, striated lengthwise. The crystal system is trigonal, cleavage is absent and fracture is uneven to conchoidal. Hardness is 7-7.5, specific gravity 3.0+ and streak is off white.
The members of the Tourmaline Group of minerals are as follows.
Buergerite has the chemistry NaFe3Al6Si6O18(BO3)3O3F, Sodium Iron Aluminum Boro-silicate Oxide Fluoride. is similar to Schorl, however the iron content differs. It is brown, associated minerals include those commonly found in volcanic rocks and it is mostly limited to San Luis Potasi, Mexico.
Dravite has the chemistry NaMg3(Al,Fe)6Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)4, complex Sodium Magnesium Iron Boro-Aluminium Silicate. Crystals are light to dark brown. Associated minerals include those linked with metamorphic rocks such as Micas, Feldspars and Quartz. Notable occurrences are Brazil and Africa. Chromdravite (Sodium Magnesium Chromium Iron Aluminum Boro-silicate Hydroxide Fluoride) is a green variety.
Elbaite has the chemistry Na (Li,Al)3Al6Si6O18(BO3)3 (OH)4, Sodium Lithium Aluminum Boro-Silicate Hydroxide. It is named from Elba, Italy. It has many colours that are named varieties. Indicolite is blue, Rubellite is pink, Siberite is violet, Verdelite is green and Watermelon Tourmaline is green with a pink centre. Paraiba Tourmalines are mined in the state of Paraiba, Brazil and have extraordinarily bright shades of blue and green. Associated minerals are those linked with granitic pegmatites and metamorphic rocks such as Micas, Feldspars Quartz as well as Beryls, Garnets, Spudumene and Topaz. Notable occurrences are California & Maine USA, Brazil, Italy, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Russia.
Schorl has the chemistry NaFe3(Al,Fe)6Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)4, Sodium Iron Aluminum Boro-silicate Hydroxide and is the most common of the Tourmaline group. Its colour is black and it can be seen as an inclusion in Quartz where it is known as Tourmalated Quartz. Associated minerals include those linked with metamorphic rocks such as Micas, Feldspars and Quartz. It occurs in many locations.
Uvite has the chemistry Ca(Mg, Fe)3Al5MgSi6O18(BO3)3(OH)3, Calcium Iron Magnesium Aluminum Boro-silicate Hydroxide. The usual 6 Aluminiums is reduced to 5, with a Magnesium inserted into the sixth position. The colour ranges from colourless through white to light brown, green or black. Associated minerals include Apatite, Sphene, Zircon and Quartz. Notable occurrences include Sri Lanka and New York USA,
Other varieties are
" Feruvite (Calcium Iron Magnesium Aluminum Boro-silicate Hydroxide)
" Foitite (Iron Aluminum Boro-silicate Hydroxide)
" Liddicoatite (Sodium Lithium Aluminum Boro-silicate Oxide Hydroxidem Fluoride)
" Olenite (Sodium Aluminum Boro-silicate Oxide Hydroxide)
" Povondravite (Sodium Iron Boro-silicate Hydroxide Oxide) |
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