Tourmaline is a unique semi-precious stone, which is credited with magical and healing properties. Outwardly, it resembles a watermelon slice. According to the mythology of Ancient Egypt, tourmaline is a gift from the Sun to the Earth. Because of its colorful colors, it was called the gem of the rainbow.
Story
Jewelry inlaid with tourmaline was very popular among the rulers of Byzantium. The gem was brought from the Ceylon Islands to Amsterdam by Dutch sailors at the beginning of the 18th century.
The name of the term “tourmaline” is due to its unusual multi-colored color, magical properties and ability to attract ash.
Legendary tourmalines
This gem was considered the best gift for royalty. The most legendary gem was considered to be a specimen in the form of a bunch of grapes - “Caesar's Ruby”. According to legend, it was given to Caesar by Cleopatra. After some time, traces of the jewelry were lost. She wandered from country to country for a long time and in the 18th century she came to Gustav VIII, who presented her as a gift to Catherine II.
Initially, this gem was considered a ruby.
Only in the 20th century did jewelers determine that it was Burmese pink tourmaline. Today the semi-precious stone is the property of the Diamond Fund of Russia.
The second famous artifact is the 500-fold tourmaline in the crown of Anna Ioannovna.
Heavenly beauty of Elbaita Paraiba
Paraiba tourmaline is another stunningly beautiful variety of a large family of minerals.
Found almost by accident in the Brazilian state of the same name, it immediately broke all records for demand. The sky azure or airy turquoise color makes Paraiba tourmaline look like a ray of sunshine, enclosed in transparent facets and illuminating the surrounding space with its light. When cut into a cabochon, the Paraiba stone does not cast a shadow, so perfect are its optical characteristics.
Even with poor artificial or insufficient daylight, Paraiba tourmaline glows from the inside with neon light. This feature of the stone has no analogues among other minerals.
Paraiba tourmaline derives its heavenly blue from copper. The unusual color characteristics of the mineral from Brazilian mines make this gemstone one of the most expensive. Its cost reaches $10,000 per carat. Tourmaline jewelry with Paraiba stones, especially diamond-cut ones, is extremely exquisite and is considered one of the most desirable gifts.
Description
Tourmaline is a group of crystalline minerals with three prismatic faces. They are distinguished by a beautiful glossy shine and unusual color.
The stone has a stable charge, which is why it is called an electric mineral. This property was first discovered by the Curies. The key feature is that its charge is similar to the radiation of the cells of the human body.
Another distinctive feature of the jewelry is hemimorphism - asymmetrical cutting at the ends.
Benefits of a tourmaline belt
Minerals are used for treatment in many areas, for example:
- gynecology;
- immunology;
- neurology;
- urology;
- cardiology;
- gastroenterology.
Minerals are able to fight a large number of diseases that people have to face in the process of life:
- help eliminate diseases of the endocrine system;
- eliminate diseases associated with connective tissues;
- used in stressful situations;
- help fight varicose veins and capillary blockage;
- tourmaline helps with arthritis and joint diseases that have become chronic.
Many people often use tourmaline to improve their immune system. Stones are valued for normalizing the functioning of tissues. Thanks to tourmaline, the body copes with many diseases on its own.
Physicochemical characteristics
The composition of the mineral is variable; it contains at least 25 elements. The main color of the gem depends on the predominance of any impurity.
The mineral has a complex chemical formula in several variations, each of which corresponds to a specific type of gem. The main elements are boron, magnesium and aluminosilicate.
The density of the stone does not exceed 3.26 g/cm3. The Mohs hardness is 7–7.5. Most of the mineral is transparent, but there are also cloudy specimens. The crystal lends itself well to processing and has a glossy surface.
The color palette of the gem deserves a separate discussion. The deposits contain minerals of all colors of the rainbow. In addition, some specimens have pronounced pleochroism.
The natural mineral has a number of physical properties, thanks to which the importance of tourmaline stone in medicine is difficult to overestimate:
- Warming up.
- Ionization.
- Infrared radiation.
Questions/Answers
There are quite a lot of tourmalines. This article is a review, “about everyone in general.” But if you have questions, ask them.
How to distinguish a fake?
- Examine the stone with a magnifying glass. A real gem has shimmers and halftones. The fakes don't have this.
- Look for inclusions in the stone? A perfectly clean stone is most likely the work of human hands.
- Natural tourmaline is difficult to scratch. This is not glass.
- Rub the stone with a woolen cloth. Real tourmaline will attract hairs, tiny pieces of paper, and dust.
Please note: “watermelon” tourmalines are often made from cutting crystals of different colors.
In the 1920s, bluish tourmalines from Namibia entered the market. There was demand for green stones. Therefore, Namibian gems were heated, which changed their color to green.
Important : sometimes crystals are refined by annealing or irradiation. Such stones are not considered fake.
How to care?
- Tourmalines are micro-vacuum cleaners. Therefore, store your jewelry in a tightly closed case.
- If a pebble gets dirty, wash it in soapy water and rinse with clean water. Dry with a napkin. Try not to rub the stone. Otherwise, the piezo or pyroelectric effect will work, and your stone will find dust, like an exemplary housewife.
- Gems do not like bright sun - they can fade. But even in the evening, under artificial light, tourmaline loses some of its shine and color.
- Protect your jewelry from aggressive liquids and household chemicals.
How to wear?
- The gem will accept gold and silver equally well. Tourmaline will not accept simple frames (jewelry alloys, copper).
- The stone is rarely set in platinum.
- The magical properties of tourmaline are more pronounced in combination with silver.
- In the old days, tourmalines were recommended to be worn on the index finger of the right hand or on the middle finger of the left hand. Moreover, the frame should be gold or silver.
What is the price?
- A good option is to buy individual cut gems and give them to a jeweler to create a custom piece of jewelry.
- The differences between tourmaline varieties can be significant. Prices per carat of Paraiba start from $4000-6000. Connoisseurs will not be surprised by the price of $20,000 per carat.
- “Simple” tourmalines start at $20 per carat.
- But we must take into account that the price greatly depends on the variety.
- Weight, purity, color, variety affect the final cost of jewelry. And of course, add the cost of the frame here.
What colors are there?
The colors of the stone depend on the presence of iron, chromium, and manganese ions.
Red, green, blue, black, tan and simply colorless.
There are more than fifty shades of tourmaline.
The most valuable ones are pink and red.
In second place are green ones, their color approaches emerald.
Polychrome types are good. One crystal can have up to five colors.
Where can I buy?
Large online stores, jewelry stores, exhibitions and sales of stones. Expensive varieties (for example, Paraiba) should be purchased where they will provide you with proof of the authenticity of the stone.
What stones does it go with?
For the most part, tourmalines are “selfish”. Their energy is self-sufficient; it can hardly tolerate the proximity of other gems.
Tourmaline especially conflicts with rubies, sapphires, and alexandrites.
For your information : P. Globa reports that tourmaline is “not friendly” with garnets.
Mining locations
Valuable samples of the mineral are mined in the tracts of Brazil and Sri Lanka. There are deposits of the stone in Afghanistan, America, China, Africa and Madagascar.
On the territory of the Russian Federation, deposits suitable for tourmaline mining remain only in Transbaikalia and the Kola Peninsula. The Ural deposits are practically depleted.
Variegated mix
Astrologer Nazarova writes that tourmaline belongs to the group of warrior stones (together with fluorite, pyrite, spinel).
All the beauty of tourmalines is most clearly revealed in daylight. Artificial and evening light extinguishes the beauty and shine of tourmaline.
The most valuable type of mineral is Paraiba Tourmaline.
While searching for mica in the state of Minas Gerais (Brazil), tourmaline deposits were discovered. You don't always find what you're looking for.
The color intensity of tourmalines is valued only up to a certain optimal limit. Above this limit their value decreases.
The famous astrologer T. Macia advises decorating with sherlom rooms where it is necessary to limit excessive frivolity and sensuality.
According to G. Smith, red tourmaline, having been exposed to daylight for about a hundred years, noticeably turns yellow.
The Indians believed that watermelon tourmalines enhance a person's sexual abilities and kindle the passion of love. Therefore, men wore these stones with pleasure. But watermelon tourmaline was prohibited for women. A woman's love will create problems for her man...
Application area
Depending on the application, the stone comes in several types:
- Jewelry. Pure transparent stones are used to produce jewelry. A wide color palette of crystals allows you to create a unique piece of jewelry for a man or woman. Tourmaline goes well with gold, silver and nickel silver frames.
- Technical. The stone is widely used in the optics and electronics industries. Tourmaline chips are used to increase the refractoriness of various coatings. Artificially grown crystals can be used for technical purposes.
- Medical. The gem is able to have a complex healing effect on the body. It is used in air ionizers, medical heaters and other devices. For these purposes, raw material rejected by jewelers is used.
- Decorative. The mineral is used as a decorative element on clothing and accessories, for making figurines and other interior details.
Medical field
Jewelry production waste - crumbs, dust, low-grade stones - is taken by industry. Tourmaline raw materials are used in products designed to improve the physical condition of a person. Tourmaline treatment is popular as an alternative to classic medications and procedures.
What is the healing effect of tourmaline based on?
Tourmaline is the only mineral that releases energy.
The physicists of the Curie spouses found that when heated and pressurized, electrical microcharges are formed at the ends of tourmaline crystals. They emit negatively charged ions, the spectrum of which coincides with the radiation of the human body (0.06 mA). Simply put, the mineral complements and enhances the human magnetic field.
The heat generated by the body is dissipated in the surrounding space. Tourmaline accessories retain this energy, and as much as necessary. If there is not enough of it, add it yourself. Therefore, warmth is felt at the location of the product.
Tourmaline jewelry
Dimensions do not affect the properties of tourmaline: crumbs, crystal and dust are equally effective.
Product range
Grains of the mineral are fused into fibers, then tourmaline fabric is woven from them. It is used for underwear and bedding, elbow pads, belts, socks, insoles, knee pads with tourmaline, and other products for different parts of the body.
Tourmaline dust particles contain body care products and personal hygiene items: soap, toothpastes, creams, combs. Tourmaline shower heads are equipped with a healing magnet. To enhance the effect, medicinal herbs are added to the products.
What diseases does tourmaline treat?
Tourmaline has a general strengthening effect on the entire body:
- helps improve blood microcirculation, as a result of which the functioning of internal organs is normalized;
- promotes rapid recovery of the body after surgery or serious illness;
- treats insomnia;
- useful for those who are stressed and take everything to heart.
The mineral is known to improve blood flow. Tourmaline products are necessary for people who have professional or age-related problems with muscles and joint diseases:
- workers engaged in monotonous work;
- amateur and professional athletes;
- To old people.
They are shown tourmaline knee pads, belts, and elbow pads. The bandage relieves swelling and the condition of blood vessels improves. Often products are equipped with magnetic inserts.
Tourmaline bracelet
Tourmaline accessories are a salvation for people who cannot tolerate physical therapy. Any product activates the internal energy of a person, and not the radiation of devices.
How to use tourmaline accessories
A powerful energetic effect on the body requires the conscious use of tourmaline accessories for treatment or prevention:
- The first session is 18-25 minutes, the time of wearing the product on one area of the body gradually increases to two hours.
- Any product is used for no more than three months in a row, after which there is a break for two to three weeks.
- If discomfort is felt while wearing, redness, heat, or pain occur, the tourmaline bandage is transferred to another part of the body. Wherever it is, help will come wherever needed.
Often relief occurs after the first wearing of the product: the body’s immunity increases, joint problems recede, and a person feels more cheerful and optimistic.
Varieties
There are over fifty varieties of this attractive stone.
The properties of tourmaline depend on its palette and transparency.
Green
A fairly common variety, individual specimens of which, taken from different tracts, may differ in palette and cost. It has healing properties: eliminates anxiety, normalizes sleep and the nervous system.
Paraiba
A bright and expensive mineral, which received its name in honor of the state of Brazil of the same name, in which the deposit is located. It has a wide range of colors from rich emerald to soft blue. This variety of tourmaline helps to gain peace of mind.
Rubelite
A gemstone with a delicate color range from red to pink. Deep red and ruby specimens are considered especially valuable. It has sedative properties and the ability to drive away negative emotions.
Watermelon
An amazingly beautiful stone that combines shades of green, white and red. Its structure and color palette resembles a watermelon slice. Gives its owner the ability to empathize, sympathize and reach agreement in conflict.
Chameleonite
A stone with the ability to change color. Under a directed stream of lamp light it becomes reddish-brown, and in sunlight it becomes olive.
Sibirit
A variety of stone with a rich crimson or red-violet hue. The deposits for its extraction are located in Russia.
Indigolite
A copy of a dark blue shade. Relieves headaches and improves hormonal levels.
Schorl
Due to its high iron content it is black in color. The unusual properties and significance of the tourmaline stone were appreciated by psychics and other adherents of magical knowledge. In their opinion, it is capable of creating a special energy field around its owner. It protects a person from physical healing and mental effects.
Less popular varieties include:
- verdelite (dark shades of green);
- achroite (no color);
- dravite (brown-yellow);
- chrome tourmaline (emerald).
Collectors especially value polychrome specimens, which combine zones of different colors.
Magic abilities
Magically, tourmaline is no less useful for humans. The gem is known as:
- A symbol of self-knowledge and peace. Meditation with a stone allows you to dive into the depths of your soul, allowing you to find peace and focus on your desires.
- A source of inspiration, good mood, helping to reveal talents and move only forward.
- Protector from external (damage, evil eye) and internal (unreasonable anxieties, fears) negative factors.
- Guardian of love, friendship, family, financial well-being.
Tourmaline is a good talisman for creative, sophisticated natures. And the black variety of stone is an attribute of magicians.
Contraindications
Despite the proven therapeutic effects of the mineral, there are specific contraindications for its use:
- pregnancy or breastfeeding period;
- increased body temperature;
- children under 12 years of age;
- tendency to bleed;
- hemorrhagic stroke;
- pathology of the thyroid gland.
If you have allergic diseases or a pacemaker, careful use of the mineral is necessary.
How to recognize a fake
People have long been able to grow this gem in laboratory conditions. Due to the complexity and high cost of the process, synthetic tourmaline is created only for technical purposes. Most often, glass is passed off as a natural gem.
There are several signs that allow you to assess the authenticity of tourmaline:
- A gem of natural origin cannot be scratched.
- The natural mineral is electrified. After heating and rubbing the stone, hair and pieces of paper stick to it.
- It has inhomogeneous color, pleochroism and birefringence.
An artificial gem is devoid of magical and healing properties.
Geological origin
Like other gems, tourmaline is the result of volcanic and post-volcanic processes that took place in the depths of our planet many millions of years ago.
Endogenous processes, accompanied by the phenomena of metamorphism and magmatism with the direct participation of thermal waters, occurring at elevated pressure and temperature, gave rise to this beautiful geological formation.
Most often, deposits of this mineral are directly related geologically to the occurrence of granite rocks.
According to its chemical composition, it belongs to aluminosilicates containing boron.
The formula has many variations, so it is generally accepted that the tourmaline crystal is a complex borosilicate with a variable composition.
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Like other gems, tourmaline is the result of volcanic and post-volcanic processes that took place in the depths of our planet many millions of years ago.
This mineral is special because of its polychrome. One crystal can simultaneously have several colors or shades.
The pyroelectric properties of tourmaline stone are unique: when heated, increased pressure or friction, its crystals become electrified, with one edge receiving a positive charge and the opposite edge receiving a negative charge. These stones were the first to clearly demonstrate the polarization of light.
Tourmaline and zodiac signs
According to astrologers, each zodiac sign “superses” a stone of a certain color. Who is tourmaline stone suitable for:
- Capricorn is a green or black stone. It will help you unlock your potential and get rid of the harmful addiction to alcohol and drugs.
- Scorpio is a black specimen. It has a beneficial effect on the psyche and calms the nerves.
- Sagittarius, Aquarius is a blue-colored mineral. It has the ability to neutralize strong emotions and gives peace of mind.
- Libra, Aries, Leo – green or pink tourmaline. These stones allow you to achieve harmony, eliminate hot temper and stubbornness.
Astrologers are unable to reach a consensus on the issue of hot-tempered Scorpios and Aquarius. Some believe that the gem will help smooth out the negative character traits of representatives of these zodiac signs, while others recommend refraining from wearing it.
Young people are recommended to give preference to bright transparent gems in combination with ruby or alexandrite. The positive qualities of tourmaline are most pronounced when installed in a gold frame. Due to its powerful energy potential, the mineral is not recommended to be worn constantly.
Tourmaline is a multifaceted crystal that is in high demand among creative people, jewelers and ordinary connoisseurs of beauty. And this despite the fact that the cost of some gems is estimated at fabulous sums.
The principle of the effect of tourmaline products on the body
Despite the skepticism of doctors, there are a large number of people willing to purchase tourmaline products. The skepticism of medical workers is understandable, because many people, following the feedback of other people, begin to think that tourmaline is a cure for all diseases.
In fact, with the help of tourmaline, you can alleviate the course of the disease and improve your overall well-being, but you can get rid of the disease completely only if you also adhere to therapy, which should proceed under the supervision of a doctor.
The belt is used in the following cases:
- to relieve tension;
- to relieve pain in the back and spine;
- when moving long distances;
- to relieve swelling;
- for fractures and sprains.
The duration of the first session is 10 minutes. If a burning sensation begins to appear, you need to remove the belt or put it over a T-shirt.
