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Mined by humans for millennia, tourmaline is a stone of breathtaking colors. Legend has it that it arrived on Earth by passing through a rainbow, absorbing its many colors along the way. When used in jewelry - as with the tourmaline ring - the precious metal it is paired with depends largely on its color, given the endless range of hues a tourmaline can display from one stone to the next. As a general rule, darker, vivid-colored gems pair beautifully with yellow gold, while lighter stones tend to look their best with white gold, rose gold, or silver.
Its name comes from the Sinhalese (the official language of Sri Lanka) word "thuramali," meaning "stone of a thousand colors". The term originally referred to many colored stones that had no specific name. Because it was frequently confused with other gemstones such as ruby, sapphire, and emerald, tracing its exact history is a challenge.
Already widespread in the East for centuries, tourmaline began making its way into Europe at the start of the 18th century, brought back by Dutch sailors. It was then nicknamed the "Ceylon magnet" for its unique properties. During the Age of Enlightenment, numerous experiments were conducted on tourmaline across Europe. A few years later, in 1989, Paraiba tourmaline - an exceptionally rare and coveted variety prized for its vivid blue or green color and inner glow - was discovered by Heitor Dimas Barbosa in Brazil.
A symbol of youth and a protector of its wearer, tourmaline was notably cherished by Empress Cixi (also known as Tzu-Hsi), who ruled China from 1861 to 1908. She even rests on a cushion of tourmalines.
Finally, as the birthstone for October, it also marks 52 years of wedding anniversary.
Its stunning hues make tourmaline a particularly sought-after stone in the world of jewelry. It is often paired with a wide range of jewelry pieces such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches, and earrings.
As for its production, tourmaline forms in magmatic and metamorphic rocks, as well as in high-temperature hydrothermal veins. The main deposits are found in Brazil, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. It is also found in the United States, Madagascar, India, Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), and Russia.
Tourmaline is a semi-precious stone belonging to the silicate family, of which several sub-species exist. With a rhombohedral crystal structure, it typically forms as elongated rod-like crystals grouped together.
Transparent, translucent, or opaque with a glassy luster, tourmaline can display a remarkable range of hues. It is a polychromatic gem that comes in a vast array of colors depending on its chemical composition - including iron, titanium, copper, and manganese. Its shades range from green (the most common) to pink, red, blue, black, and yellow. Some specimens can even display multiple tones. In addition, tourmaline exhibits strong pleochroism, meaning its color shifts depending on the viewing angle. Note that heat treatment is sometimes used to intensify or lighten its color.
In terms of technical characteristics, tourmaline has a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale and a density of 3 to 3.2. It is a stone with piezoelectric properties, meaning it generates an electric charge under mechanical stress. It is also pyroelectric, building up static electricity in response to temperature changes. These properties make it a stone widely used in geobiology, as it helps protect living spaces from harmful waves - whether technological or natural.
While it comes in a variety of hues - each with its own properties - tourmaline as a whole has a revitalizing and energizing effect on both body and mind. It stimulates inspiration and creativity, helps overcome challenges, and keeps you grounded in reality. This stone also helps break through emotional blocks, fears, negativity, and depression.
On a physical level, tourmaline promotes restful sleep. It can help regulate various hormonal imbalances (painful periods, menopause, etc.) and improve blood circulation. It is a stone that can be used to strengthen muscles and the nervous system, as well as to stimulate the renal system. It also offers effective protection against electromagnetic waves.
Tourmaline is a fragile stone, so it is essential to protect it from hard knocks. It is also sensitive to sudden temperature changes. When not being worn, store it in a fabric pouch or a box, separately from other stones and jewelry.
To clean tourmaline, a little cold water and dish soap is all it takes. A gentle, light scrub will get it thoroughly clean. Finish with a rinse, then buff dry with a soft cloth for a like-new shine.
Ocarat offers a vast selection of tourmaline-set jewelry. You'll find these stones in a wide range of hues to suit every taste and preference. They are also paired with various precious metals and available in a variety of jewelry styles: rings, pendants, earrings… For each piece, our online jewelry store provides a detailed guide covering everything you need to know about the jewelry and the stone used.
Tourmaline can be difficult to identify due to its virtually endless range of hues. Often mistaken for other semi-precious and precious stones, it stands apart thanks to its exceptional brilliance.
Relatively fragile, tourmaline must be protected from impacts and knocks that can quickly damage it. Sudden temperature changes should also be avoided. To clean your tourmaline-set jewelry, a little cold water, dish soap, and a soft brush are all you need.
Tourmalines with a deep, intense color are the most sought-after. Among the most popular hues are red and pink, as well as Watermelon tourmaline (green on one side, pink on the other). You'll also want to look for tourmalines with no inclusions visible to the naked eye.
Ocarat's online jewelry store offers a wide selection of pieces to match every taste: rings, brooches, bracelets, and much more. You'll also find tourmalines in a variety of colors to suit every desire. The jewelry store also provides a number of great benefits, including unbeatable prices and flexible payment options.
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