Tourmaline: what does it look like, what properties does it have and where is it used?

The mascot of victory, hope, eternal youth and strength - tourmaline was revered in ancient Egypt. Legend has it that the gods, flying from the heart of the earth to the sun, circled the rainbow. They collected all its colors and enclosed them in a mineral, calling it the jewel of the rainbow.

This stone is located in the hydrothermal layers of the earth's crust, where there is a natural circulation of hot and cold springs. Accumulated without oxygen under high pressure water in the narrow crevices of tens of hundreds of years freezes, turning into rainbow stones. Tourmaline is of volcanic origin, it is found in granite and granite-like rocks, it is found in quartz deposits with beryls, topazes and wolframites.

In Russia, these stones were called sybarites, since their field was discovered in the Urals and Transbaikalia. They were used to decorate the salaries of icons and church utensils, and the largest Russian gem weighing 100 grams adorns the Crown of the Russian Empire, made for Catherine I.

In India, this particular type of mineral is considered the most valuable. For centuries, the stone was used to create jewelry, but later revealed it magical and healing properties. Until the sixteenth century, tourmaline was called lal, like all red jewelry.

Tourmalines brought to Europe sailors from the Netherlands, returning from the Indian colonies at the turn of the XVII-XVIII centuries.The first description of the stone in the mineral catalog of 1711 was made by a practitioner in Ceylon, doctor Paul Hermann.

In those times stone jewelry was made only for royalty and nobles. There is a legend that Cleopatra gave Caesar this gem in the form of a bunch of grapes. He was called Caesar's Ruby.

Then traces of the mineral are lost in time, but in the XVIII century it falls to the Swedish king Gustav III, who gave it to the autocrat of Russia Catherine II. True, at that time the mineral was ranked as rubies and only in the last century it turned out that Burmese pink tourmaline. The jewel is stored in the Russian Diamond Fund.

Some historians believe that the name of the stone comes from the Senegalese phrase tura mali, which means "stone with mixed colors". Some believe that the word “tourmali” translates as “precious”. Others insist that "tourmali" is interpreted as "attracting ashes." Allegedly, using this property of the mineral, the Dutch colonists removed tobacco ash from their pipes with untreated tourmaline crystals.

Tourmaline stone has a constant electric charge of 0.06 microamps, as Pierre and Marie Curie revealed in the last century. They called this stone electric mineral. Tourmaline has the properties of pyro- and piezoelectrics.

The mineral is transparent (cloudy specimens are rare), a shiny stone of a prismatic shape with a size of 10 cm or more. Sometimes elongated specimens with a triangular cut are found. The palette of colors - all the colors of the rainbow.

Some specimens change color depending on the lighting. Often in one mineral there is a mixture of colors. Color ranges from colorless to black. Depending on it and the degree of transparency, crystals are jewelry, decorative and technical. Technical are in demand in the manufacture of electronic devices, in optics and medicine.

The composition of the stone includes 26 chemical elements: iron, manganese, chromium, lithium and other substances, but aluminum silicate and bromine are constant in its basis. Hue is determined by the amount of impurities. The name of tourmaline changes depending on the color.

Raspberry - pyritecolorless - achroitpink or red - rubellite. Some names are misleading. Green tourmaline known as Brazilian emerald, and people believe that this is really him.

Black or sherl has a high iron content. Bioenergetics believe that it creates an energy field for people that is impenetrable by electromagnetic radiation or mental exposure such as spoilage. These crystals are energy nuggets that normalize the body’s biofield and have a powerful healing effect. Tourmaline Products improve health by working at the cellular level. They say that the stone emits microcurrents, infrared rays and negative ions.

In many parts of the world, industrial mining of minerals, for example, Sri Lanka, India and Afghanistan, Burma and Madagascar. Polychrome and red crystals are being mined in Mozambique. It is mined in Angola, Australia, Italy on the island of Elba, in China, in eastern Brazil (the states of Minas Gerais, Bahia and Espiritu Santo), in the USA (states of Maine and California), in Canada (Ontario), South Africa.

To date, the Ural reserves located in the vicinity of the villages of Lipovka, Murzinka, Shaitanka, Sarapulka and Yuzhakovo are depleted. The best stones are mined in Transbaikalia at the Malkhanskoye deposit. On the Kola Peninsula, in the area of ​​the Voronoi tundra, there are tourmalines of pink and green colors, as well as black. Sherls are also found in Karelia.

Since ancient times, healers endowed tourmaline with healing and magical properties and used it as amulet or mascot. Lithotherapists who study the effects of natural materials on the body recommend a crystal for a positive effect on the endocrine and nervous systems. Tourmaline is useful for people to concentrate and dispel fears. Many are confident that it is beneficial in cancer. It is an indicator of radioactivity and surrounds a person with a protective field.

It has a beneficial effect on the hematopoietic system and helps with liver diseases. Gives a sense of peace and security.

It is assumed that the color affects the magical properties of the gem. Astrologers claim that red minerals give erotic energy, and green encourage creativity, rejuvenate and contribute to cheerfulness.

Blue colour helps with insomnia. The black neutralizes all negative. Colorless crystals provide mental and physical balance.

Multicolor bring optimism. They are recommended to be used daily as jewelry. It can be pendants or rings on the index finger of the right hand or on the middle finger of the left.

Jewelers appreciate a diverse palette of stone colors, thanks to which it is used to create pendants, brooches, earrings or rings. The mineral is ideal for grinding, it is quite easy to cut compared to other gems. Besides, tourmaline products can be given the most incredible forms.

Paraiba Elite Tourmaline Pricehaving a neon blue color, glowing at twilight, mined in the state of the same name in Brazil, reaches tens of thousands of dollars. There are also ornamental stones that are cheap.

Conquistadors who returned from America brought green stones to the Old World in the middle of the 16th century, which they christened Brazilian emeralds. Karl Faberge himself fell in love with this beautiful stone and often used it in his works. Only after two centuries, mineralogists, having studied it, recognized that it is an independent mineral - tourmaline. Its color causes an increased content of chromium and iron.

• The most famous stone of the tourmaline group is Verdelite. Its shades can be pinkish, yellowish-green, sometimes turning into blue. It is believed that the stone delays the onset of old age, relieves headaches, cleanses blood vessels, eliminates neurosis, helps the heart. Improves skin condition and circulatory system.

• One of the varieties of valuable stone is polychrome, called watermelon. The mineral is really similar to a watermelon: a dark green peel covers the ripe red flesh, reaching the yellow core of the stone. Mineral strengthens the nervous system, helps with communication.

• Tsilaizit is characterized by a palette of tan shades. Violet patterns that are considered magical are rare. The stone is characterized by a high content of magnesium and potassium, which give a yellow color. It is rare in nature, so it is not so popular among jewelers, although the best examples are considered to be precious stones. The price for them is quite high.

• The grounding brown mineral (Dravite) contributes to liberation. It gives confidence to the person, strengthens family ties. The main purpose is the fight against diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Restores the functions of the pancreas, spleen, liver and gall bladder. In the early stages, struggling with oncology.

• A variation of this mineral is pink rubellite or Burmese tourmaline. It is characterized by reflections of garnet and dark red hues. It is brought from Burma, where it is mined. Mineral increases tone, cleanses blood vessels.Helps to stop chronic ailments, increases the level of immunity.

• One type of crimson rubellite, in high demand, it is mined in Russia (Siberia, the Urals) and is called siberite.

• Coloring of polychrome minerals (Elbaites) represents a real rainbow in which colors replace each other, creating a bizarre pattern. They are used by jewelers to make jewelry that creates the illusion of a rainbow. The stones have several varieties, one of which (the "head of the Turk") has a light edging and a red core. The other (“the head of the Moor”) has a dark brown or black center, framed by a lighter color. These tourmalines help you know yourself.

• White stone (achroit) Something similar to a diamond, but does not have a diamond shine. It is devoid of color or has a barely visible pale green haze. The deposit is available only on the island of Elba, so the stone is considered to be elite, precious, carrying Yin energy. Positive effect on the immune system and endocrine system. It is argued that achroit attracts luck and protects from negativity, helps to reveal creativity, activates the activity of the brain.

• One of the semiprecious species is indigolite, having a rare blue hue, turning into purple, resembling the endless waters of the ocean. Indigolite is often confused with a precious stone, therefore it is called Ural, Brazilian, Siberian sapphire. The crystals have a pronounced parallel hatching and refract light, create brilliance. The mineral carries positive energy, protects against stress and neurosis, normalizes the production of thyroid hormones and adrenal glands. Saturated blue shades are recommended to emotional people, and green - to depressive people.

• The variety of chromturmaline is closest in hue and its pattern to emerald. The only difference is that tourmaline shines less than the emerald itself.

• One of the most interesting and unusual varieties of tourmaline is chameleonite. Such a stone is quite unprepossessing in appearance, a swamp hue, but if it falls into the shade, it changes color up to red-brown. Pay attention to the difference in shades of the mineral day and night, and you will understand why it bears such a "talking" name.

From ancient times it was believed that this stone has a healing effect on humans. It is effective as a whole mineral, and in the form of dust. The grinding of crystals does not violate its electromagnetic properties, on the contrary, it makes it more active to release energy.

Pillows made of this fiber relieve insomnia fabric dressings help with osteochondrosis, and men's underpants treat prostatitis. Constant wearing such underwear speeds up the metabolism, rejuvenates and heals, and products do not lose their properties until complete wear and tear.

Electric micron currents emitted by a gem, negative ions and infrared rays improve human health, stimulate blood circulation, expand capillaries, activate metabolism at the cellular level.

Negative ions increase the vitality of cells, relieve fatigue, calm nerves, strengthen immunity and improve indoor air. It is this property of the stone that was used to create special healing chandeliers. As you know, the appearance of positive ions is promoted by high-voltage cables, radiation of cell phones and many other modern inventions of mankind. The negative ions that tourmaline generates are needed to compensate for the harm caused by positive particles. The mineral can create protection against electromagnetic radiation and neutralize susceptibility in geopathogenic zones.

Most often used in medicine yellow crystals with their constant magnetic field.With their help, they fight against pathologies in the body without the use of drugs. They are used to make knee pads and elbow pieces, socks, insoles, radiculitis belts, blindfolds, scarves and gloves.

Although some doctors and physiotherapists are skeptical of such products, the popularity of products is growing. The use of products has no side effects and contraindications, but you should be careful pregnant and lactating mothers, people with high blood pressure and prone to bleeding, as well as cancer patients. When using a pacemaker, after a stroke, fever and allergies consultation with a doctor is needed.

The healing properties of this gem are mentioned in Ayurveda and in Chinese medicine. Since ancient times, it has been used for poisoning as an adsorbent. He helped remove metals from the body. It was by studying the properties of tourmaline, discovered static electricity.

Large crystals are used in radio engineering, creating high-precision devices. Mineral is used to cover household items. Claim that stones are indicators of radioactivity, possessing elements that have different effects on a particular person.

The intensity and direction of the impact of this healing mineral on a person depends on its color, which is due to the content of various chemical elements:

• strengthen the immune system, inhibit aging, improve blood circulation, treat pathologies of the heart, liver, kidneys - green stones;
• eliminate hormonal imbalance, support immunity - blue;
• paraiba will help restore the reproductive function of the stronger sex;
• lung diseases and various dermatitis treat crystals of pink and pinkish-red color;
• soothe - yellow;
• if sherl is applied to the affected area, the patient’s condition will immediately improve.

As already mentioned several times above, the healing and magical properties of tourmaline determines its color. Stone is considered to be the strongest in terms of its effect on the body. black color, which removes negative emotions, finds vulnerable organs and systems, treats them, protecting the owner. Green pacifies passions, and red acts as an activator of feelings.

Tourmaline will develop creativity, inspire and help you find the right path through life.

Minerals are often used for rituals, they decorated the clothes of priests and church symbols.

In addition, having a strong energy, tourmaline will protect anyone who wears it from the "evil eye". In India and China, stone attribute the ability to develop determination, determination, faith in oneself. If you constantly use jewelry made of tourmaline, there will be a combination of all energy centers, and the energies of Yin and Yang will be balanced. The feeling of inner exhaustion and nervous tension will disappear.

What else is tourmaline strong for?

• Restore the human biofield, revive fading love, achieve harmony in the family under the power of reddish and pink pebbles.
• Accumulate and translate extraordinary ideas helps wearing a gem of green shades.
• Clear the mind of negativity and to achieve spiritual peace will help pebbles devoid of color.
• To establish contact with higher forces use crystals of blue color. They can help in meditation.

When constantly worn, discard unnecessary energy and black energy by rinsing the product under running water.

Different types of crystals affect the zodiac signs in different ways, but most of all the stone is suitable for Pisces, Libra, Gemini. Gems are good for Cancer, Capricorn, Virgo. People born in September and October are in the clouds. Their tourmaline returns to reality. Scorpio this stone is strictly contraindicated.

But there is no consensus on zodiac compatibility with the mineral. Some suggest that for Aries and Leo It is also suitable, especially pink and green shades. The mineral will remove the temper, stubbornness and calm in a person. Aquarius and Sagittarius the blue gamma of tourmaline will relieve choking emotions. Well, black will calm the nerves, relieve irritability Scorpio. For people under 35 years old, bright transparent crystals complete with alexandrite and ruby ​​are ideal.

It is also necessary to correlate the color of the gem with the character and profession of the owner. Red gives inspiration to creative personalities, stabilizes the relationship of lovers. A good purchase would be a pair of rings with this red stone.

Green and blue calm the psyche and allow you to find inner balance. Those who are disappointed in their loved one are shown the mineral watermelon color, which combines red and green shades. Schorl develops the gift of foresight and is considered a witch stone.

• Natural stone is colored non-uniformlyand fake is always perfect. Imitation is made of glass, painted in the desired color, or even plastic.
• The original can not be compared with glass in hardness and strength, it is much stronger.
• Since the stone has the properties of piezoelectrics, he is able to attract small pieces of paper or hair.
• Large stones are rarely found in nature. If you offer jewelry with a large crystal, then this is an imitation.
• The original breed is very clean and transparent, without any inclusions.
• Artificial stones They differ from natural ones by absolutely complete absence of defects.
• Natural stone painting under artificial lighting is poorly expressed, and the color of the fake plays flare. Natural stones refract and decompose transmitted light into two beams.

The technology for obtaining synthetic tourmaline by dosed bombardment of silicon preform atoms. The workpiece under pressure and high temperature is charged with atoms of boron, sodium, potassium and aluminum. This technology is expensive and the resulting stones, too, so this production does not make practical sense.

It’s easy to take care of products with tourmaline. This requires water, soap and a soft sponge, but experimenting with steam, abrasive particles and heating is not worth it. The stone does not tolerate purification brush or ultrasound.

Over time, the stone is magically depleted, so it is necessary to nourish it with sunlight. A couple of times a week is necessary put mineral under running water, and then try to transfer his energy to him with your own hands. You can use the moonlight.

Pink, blue, green and red gems should not be placed in the open sun. Although they are charged with energy, they are also discolored. Dark minerals (indigolite and sherl) charge in the sun very well.

The following video will tell you more about the properties of tourmaline.