Tourmaline Gemstone Symbolism Facts & Meaning: Zodiac, Superstitions, Dreams, and Legends
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Tourmaline Gemstone Facts and History
Tourmaline is not a single gemstone but is the name of a group of gem species. Tourmaline Gemstones come in every hue of the rainbow with rare multicolored ones being rarer than diamonds and highly prized.
Tourmaline Gemstones are all three-sided prisms. They are the only group of gems in the world with this property. The chemical properties of Tourmaline vary but contain the foundational elemental compounds of boron, silicon, and aluminum. A mix of other elements is strewn into the formation of this crystal like copper, lithium, chromium, manganese, or iron which determines the color/s of the gem.
Tourmaline gems have been used all around the world for centuries but it is mainly mistaken for other gemstones, like rubies, topaz, and emeralds. The earliest record of mistaken identity for Tourmaline Gemstones was in the 1500s in Brazil where a Spanish conquistador mistook a green species of the gem for emeralds.
Tourmaline Gemstones were not categorized as separate gemstones until the 1800’s. However, black Tourmaline was already called schorls back before the 1400s, named in a village in Germany, now called Zschorlau, where they mine black Tourmaline deposits.
It was only when Tourmaline gems being brought to Europe from Sri Lanka were examined that it was discovered that they were the same minerals as schorls.
By then, Tourmaline had been traded all across the globe for centuries, mistakenly thought of as other precious gemstones. In fact, the rubies in the Imperial Crown of Russia are now thought to be Tourmaline all along.
The name Tourmaline comes from the Sinhalese word toramalli, meaning “stone of mixed colors.”
The Chinese became huge collectors of the gemstone with the then Chinese Empress Dowager Cixi having pink Tourmalines as her favorite. The market for Tourmaline collapsed when the Chinese government was disposed of in 1912.
A resurgence of the Tourmaline Gemstones’ popularity happened in the 1980s when deposits of radiant-colored Tourmaline were found in Paraiba, Brazil. This region is also where the biggest Tourmaline Gemstone in the world was found, with a weight of 191.87 carats.
Tourmaline Gemstones have a Mohs scale rating of 7 to 7.5 and fascinatingly display piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties.
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Tourmaline Gemstone Uses
Because of its varying colors and clarity, Tourmaline Gemstones are popular stones to use in jewelry. The most popular colors for jewelry are red, green, and multicolored stones. It is also used by skilled jewelers to carve intaglio and cameo works, particularly black Tourmaline.
The Tourmaline Gemstone’s piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties are also used in manufacturing applications. The stone can be applied in the use of pressure devices, sonar technology, and cosmetic devices like hairdryers and hair straighteners.
Modern indigenous civilizations around the world also used Tourmaline Gemstones as talismans that serve as protection against evil and danger.
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Tourmaline Gemstone Spiritual Meaning and Symbolism
Given that the Tourmaline Gemstone comes with the entire spectrum of the rainbow and more, the spiritual meaning and symbolism vary depending on the color. In general, Tourmaline Gemstones are soothing stones that bring calmness, peace, and awareness to oneself and the unconscious.
Tourmaline Gemstones are popular amongst lovers and people with broken hearts. It is often thought of as an aphrodisiac and represents the doing away of negativity, chaos, or pain in a relationship.
Primarily representing the heart and base chakra, Tourmaline Gemstones are inherently positive stones, particularly needed by those who underwent trauma or bad experience but are ready for healing and a better chapter in life.
Tourmaline gems also symbolize creativity, happiness, insight, wisdom, serenity, and healing.
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Tourmaline Gemstone Symbolism of Different Shapes and Forms
Pink Tourmaline symbolizes compassion, love, wisdom, and empathy. Pink Tourmaline Gemstones are useful for people who need a calming force when they face anxiety or chaos. It also enhances sympathy, good relationships, and love for humanity.
Like pink Tourmaline, red Tourmaline Gemstones represent wisdom and love. Additionally, it symbolizes inner strength, passion, and devotion. It is also a great substitute for rubies.
Blue Tourmaline Gemstones are useful for people who want a strong commitment to reach their goals. It is also a stone that symbolizes intuition and protection.
Black Tourmaline Gemstones are protective stones that repel negative energy. It promotes positive change and patterns, especially for wearers experiencing a crisis. It also symbolizes stability, patience, and wisdom.
Watermelon Tourmaline Gemstones are stones with an inner pink-red color having an outer green hue. This variety of Tourmaline is a reconciliation that promotes healing from emotional problems. It represents the acquisition of money, healing, stability, and friendship.
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Tourmaline Gemstone Symbolism in Different Cultures
Tourmaline gems have been mined around the world for centuries and came to represent different symbolisms by different cultures.
In Western cultures, Tourmaline Gemstones are believed to be stones for artists and writers, which are said to protect them and enhance their creativity.
In various African cultures, Tourmalines symbolize waking up from illusions and connecting more to the world.
Indians believed Tourmalines to promote inner wisdom and insight. They use the gems to reveal negative forces that wish evil upon them.
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Tourmaline Gemstone in Combination with other Gems
The combination of black Tourmaline with an amethyst gemstone gives the best of both worlds, especially when meditating. The amethyst gemstone enhances awareness and consciousness while black Tourmaline will keep them grounded.
Selenite gemstones and Tourmaline gems are a great combination to cleanse the energy in a space. This combination of gemstones promotes the healthy flow of positive energy that can boost mental clarity and enhance intuition.
Black Tourmaline Gemstone combined with a smoky quartz gem is a great deterrent for nightmares. This combination is great for its soothing properties that combat anxiety, anger, and resentment.
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Tourmaline Gemstone Birthstone and Zodiac Sign
Tourmaline, specifically the pink variety, is the modern birthstone of October and is the zodiac stone of Libra. The properties of Tourmaline Gemstones enhance the natural inclination of Libras like being creative, sympathetic, and sensitive.
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Tourmaline Gemstone in Dreams
Dreaming of Tourmaline Gemstones can mean different things depending on the context of the dream and the situation of the dreamer. In general, Tourmaline Gemstones in dreams can indicate forthcoming luck, obtaining some spiritual enlightenment, or regret.
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Tourmaline Gemstone Omens and Superstitions
Because of its pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties, alchemists believed Tourmaline to be related to the philosopher’s stone that could transform base metals into gold and grant enlightenment.
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Tourmaline Gemstone Mythology and Folklore
According to legend, Tourmaline obtained its many colors because it passed through a rainbow as it flew down from the sky to Earth.
