| olorful Gemstone Tourmaline | | | | in esoteric rituals. It is also often used for |
| Referred to as the “gemstone of the | | | | engraving. Some of the rarer tourmaline gems |
| rainbow” the gemstone tourmaline is found | | | | are Paraiba tourmaline which was first discovered |
| in amazing array of colors. Egyptian legend tells up | | | | in a Brazilian mine in 1987, it is a very strong blue |
| that tourmaline is on a journey from the center | | | | to blue green color. Another rare color comes |
| of the earth and whilst on that journey passed a | | | | from Malawi and is called canary tourmalines |
| rainbow and assumed the colors of it and | | | | because of the very vivid yellow hues. Over the |
| combinations of those colors. In translation the | | | | years tourmaline deposits have been found |
| word tourmaline means stone mixed with color | | | | scattered all over the world in place as diverse as |
| and come from the Singhalese words tura mali. | | | | Afghanistan, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, |
| In ancient times tourmaline was revered as having | | | | Madagascar and in small pockets of the USA, |
| many magical powers and is known as the | | | | although the major deposits are in Brazil, Sri Lanka |
| gemstone for friendship and love. It is believed to | | | | and in South and south west Africa. |
| enhance communication, tranquility, gives strength | | | | From a scientific point of view tourmaline is quite |
| to the mind, and aids in sleep. Helps self | | | | amazing in that when heated and allowed to cool |
| confidence, memory and creativity. Gem | | | | again these stones become electrically charged. |
| therapists believe that it aids in the treatment and | | | | They are negative at one end and positive at the |
| maintenance of digestive system, nervousness, | | | | other. ‘Pyro-electricity’ as it is |
| balances the endocrine and aids the lymphatic | | | | called was derived from the Greek word for fire, |
| system. It is thought best to wear the gemstone | | | | pyr. |
| tourmaline next to the skin for optimum benefits. | | | | Because of the diversity of the colors the |
| Tourmaline is the birthstone for October. | | | | gemstone tourmaline can be made into literally |
| The tourmaline gemstones belong to the trigonal | | | | hundreds of pieces. Using the natural elongated |
| crystal system and appear as long slender | | | | shape of this stone some amazing styles of |
| elongated and heavily streaked pieces of stone. It | | | | pendant and drop earring can be purchased or |
| is easily distinguished as unlike other gemstone it | | | | made to your own specifications, for example a |
| has three sided prisms. Tourmaline range in color | | | | pillar of black tourmaline held by an 18 gold claw |
| from red to green and from blue to yellow and | | | | with a gold chain gives a look of quality and class |
| some even have two or more colors. Some can | | | | especially when used with matching earrings |
| change color when moved from natural to artificial | | | | worked a smaller stone. Beautiful dangling bi-color |
| light and others can have a cat’s eye | | | | stone earrings with diamonds top and bottom, |
| appearance. Depending from which angle you view | | | | Victorian style rings and broaches using whatever |
| the gemstone the color may vary or the shade | | | | color tourmaline takes your fancy. Modern |
| become more or less intense. When a cutter is | | | | settings to antique to retro fashion, rings for the |
| preparing to cut a stone he must pay particular | | | | ladies and the gentlemen, cufflinks, stick pins. |
| attention as the color is most intense when being | | | | All can be set in your choice of Platinum, white or |
| looked at towards the main axis. Tourmaline is a | | | | yellow gold or sterling sliver and used in |
| durable stone with a hardness of between 7 to | | | | combination with diamonds or other precious |
| 7.5 on the Mohs scale. There are different names | | | | gems. When in comes to the use of the |
| for different pieces. Green tourmaline is called | | | | gemstone tourmaline you are limited only by your |
| Verdelite or sometime chrome tourmaline, there is | | | | imagination as the many colors of the stones |
| also rubilite which is obviously a rich red, blue | | | | offer you a choice to match your clothing, mood, |
| tourmaline is referred to as indigolite and yellow to | | | | personality or just you personal preference. |
| browns are called dravites. The black tourmaline, | | | | These striking gemstones will always be noticed |
| known as schorl, is believed by many esoteric | | | | and admired by those who appreciate fine |
| people to have special powers and is often used | | | | jewelry. |