Tourmaline is the name given to a family of complex borosilicate materials of variable composition. It has a hexagonal prismatic crystal system with striations running parallel to the main axis. Tourmaline became popular in 1876 when Tiffany and Co. began purchasing a green variety from a mine in Maine. When warmed the crystals will hold a positive electric charge at one end and a negative at the other. This characteristic causes tourmaline to attract tiny particles. This ability also makes it one of the most significant mineral groups for metaphysical use. It is found on every continent of the world however fine specimens are rare and in turn, expensive. They occur in a variety of colors; iron –rich tourmalines are black, dark blue-ish- black, or brown. Magnesium rich tourmalines are brown to yellow. Lithium rich can be any color blue, green, red, yellow or pink. Black tourmaline is the most common and inexpensive variety, however blue, green and pink are less common. Multi-color and red specimens are very rare and clear pieces are extremely rare, but strangely not sought after.
Tourmalines differing metaphysical characteristics for each color. Black-protection, purification. Pink-love, emotional healing. Green-strength, vitality. Blue-communication. Gold-confidence.