Multicolored tourmaline bracelet Brazil A (grains 5-7mm)

Very beautiful bracelet made up of small 5-7mm rolled stones of multi-colored tourmaline.
Patterns and colors may vary from one bracelet to another

The name tourmaline comes from “turmali” or “turamali” which is in fact a Sinhalese name given to this fabulous stone from Sri Lanka by Dutch explorers at the beginning of the 18th century.

In Sri Lanka, a legend says that tourmaline comes from the sky and during its descent to earth, it crossed a rainbow which transmitted its color variations. Which explains the origin of its name meaning “the stone of a thousand colors”.

In fact, tourmaline has been known for millennia. In the 3rd century BC, we found traces of this stone. In Greece, it was Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) who brought this stone back from these expeditions. However, tourmaline, due to its many colors, has very often been confused with other minerals.

Thus, there are very few legends or myths attached to this stone due to its late identification. However, some tourmalines have piezoelectric properties, meaning they have an electric charge, negative at one pole and positive at the other pole. Tourmaline attracts particles to itself.

When the philosopher Theophrastus (-322 to -288) describes a stone having the ability to attract pieces of straw or pieces of wood to itself, we understand that he is talking about tourmaline. Later in the 18th century, Dutch explorers used tourmaline to clean their pipes because the stone attracted ashes.

For the record, in the 16th century, a Spanish conquistador discovered a green tourmaline in Brazil, which he identified as an emerald. This discovery caused a rush in the Brazilian regions in search of these famous emeralds. The error was corrected in the 19th century and the emeralds were transformed into tourmalines.

Many times confused with precious stones, tourmalines are therefore found in many jewelry, and even in the British crown. We can also mention the Timur Ruby, a 352-carat jewel that was thought to be a ruby ​​until 1851, or the 170-carat Black Prince ruby ​​which is actually a tourmaline.

Tourmaline is causing more and more enthusiasm among connoisseurs and collectors. Thus, the Empress of China Cixi (1861-1908) loved this stone so much that she began to collect it. She asked for sculptures, brooches, watch straps, rings, etc. to be made for her. Today it rests on a cushion of tourmalines.

The main deposits are located in Brazil, Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Russia, Thailand, Burma, Madagascar, India, and the United States.

Tourmalines come in various shades. They can also be two-tone or multi-colored. There is a wide variety of tourmalines, in different colors, from opaque to transparent, with striated or hexagonal structures. They have a rhombohedral crystal system. It is a magmatic and metamorphic rock which may come from hydrothermal deposits.

Thus, tourmalines have varied compositions such as magnesium silicates, sodium silicates, iron, clay, fluorides and borosilicate. Tourmalines are actually an entire family of stones, which have the same internal structure, but differ in chemical composition and therefore in color and appearance.

The tourmaline family is an attractive variety in the world of gemstones. They crystallize in all possible colors. They are very popular in jewelry, because their hardness is high (7 to 7.5). They have resplendent colors and exceptional shine quality.

The strong birefringence of tourmalines means that two tourmalines almost never have the same color. Jeweler-designers can therefore offer unique creations of great originality. The gem quality tourmaline (transparent) will be cut into facets, into various shapes (pear, oval, round, etc.). Translucent to opaque tourmaline of well-defined colors will be cut into a cabochon or polished slice.

Tourmalines come in various colors and can therefore be combined to create bracelets or necklaces. Let's take a look at the most used ones.

Blue tourmaline

Blue tourmaline is also called indigolite or indicolite. It is a stone with a light blue to dark blue color. It distinguishes itself from other tourmalines by presenting a transparent appearance in raw form.

In lithotherapy, it is a stone of calm and serenity. It frees the mind from negative thoughts. It encourages fidelity in love and friendship and honesty. Blue tourmaline dispels feelings of sadness, unease and despair to make way for positive feelings.

His astrological signs: Sagittarius, Aquarius, Pisces

Its chakra: the throat chakra

Brown tourmaline

Brown tourmaline or dravite is a variety of brown or mahogany colored tourmaline, sometimes so dark that it is confused with black tourmaline. It is a mineral of the cyclosilicate family, hydroxylated with sodium, aluminum and magnesium.

In lithotherapy, it helps to overcome life's difficulties and gives the courage to accept the unthinkable. It allows you to make peace with your past and identify the origin of certain blockages often linked to childhood. Brown tourmaline is a stone rich in magnesium. It allows its wearer to better fix magnesium during supplementation treatments.

His astrological signs: Aries, Virgo, Scorpio

Its chakra: the root chakra

Yellow tourmaline

There are different varieties of yellow tourmalines (Malawi tourmaline, elbaite, tsilaisite, etc.).

It should be noted that yellow tourmaline is among the most expensive varieties of tourmaline. The price of these yellow tourmalines varies depending on their quality, purity, origin and weight. A tourmaline mounted on a ring can reach around a hundred euros.

In lithotherapy, yellow tourmaline is appreciated for its energizing properties. It is a stone of dynamism and vitality. It allows people who are mentally and physically tired to regain energy and the will to achieve their goals. An anti-stress stone, it also helps overcome states of intense sadness.

His astrological signs: Taurus, Leo, Libra

Its chakra: the solar plexus chakra

Black tourmaline

Black tourmaline is the best-known variety of tourmaline. It is also identified under the name schorl. It is called black, but it can also be dark brown. It gained its notoriety over time due to its numerous properties.

It is the most common tourmaline and can sometimes grow up to 2m tall. Its composition, very rich in iron, gives it this black, opaque and intense appearance.

In lithotherapy, black tourmaline is a very powerful anchoring stone. It helps keep your feet on the ground, calms scattered thoughts and refocuses your attention. A fantastic anti-stress stone, black tourmaline diffuses energy and vitality.

His astrological signs: Cancer, Sagittarius, Capricorn

Its chakra: the root chakra

Cat's eye tourmaline

Cat's eye tourmaline is one of the rarest varieties of tourmaline. It bears this name because of the phenomenon of light reflection which is reminiscent of a cat's slit eye. This phenomenon is called chatoyance.

This optical feature is exceptionally rare and is only found in a handful of fine stones. It is caused by the presence of tiny parallel fibers or needle-like inclusions in the stone.

In lithotherapy, cat's eye tourmaline, like many other tourmalines, repels negative energies. It is an excellent protective stone which helps keep away people with bad influences. It is also known to strengthen the immune system and to facilitate the proper circulation of bodily fluids.

His astrological signs: Leo, Libra, Aquarius

Its chakra: the sacral chakra

Pink tourmaline

Pink tourmaline (or called rubellite when it approaches red) is composed of complex silicates of borosilicates, iron, alkalis and magnesium. It also contains a high content of copper and manganese, which gives it this magnificent pink color. Pink tourmaline can be transparent, translucent, or even opaque.

Pink tourmaline is a stone often associated with other minerals. The most common combinations are pink tourmaline on eudialyte, pink tourmaline on lepidolite and pink tourmaline on rose quartz.

In lithotherapy, pink tourmaline is closely linked to feelings of love and tenderness. It emits vibrations to replenish and protect psychological well-being. Pink tourmaline brings serenity and allows its wearer to fight effectively against stress and its consequences on the body.

His astrological signs: Aries, Libra, Scorpio

Its chakra: the heart chakra

Green tourmaline

Green tourmaline is also found under the name verdelite. It comes in different shades of green, with this transparent appearance. Green tourmaline is the most common after black. More rarely, we can find other green tourmalines such as chromiferous ones. The latter are rarer and more sought after.

In lithotherapy, the beautiful green colors of this tourmaline evoke the greens present in nature during spring, the season of renewal. It is then said that green tourmaline is excellent for all people who want to start from scratch. It gives them the strength to leave a toxic relationship, a thankless job, etc. Placing green tourmaline in a bedroom helps ward off restless thoughts at bedtime. A softness settles in and promotes falling asleep.

His astrological signs: Libra, Capricorn, Pisces

Its chakra: the frontal chakra