By Ray Lundin – Gemologist
Tourmaline was known for centuries by the name schrol. Colored crystals were imported from Sri Lanka at the beginning of the 18th century. Tourmaline was known to be mined in many of the Oriental countries that yielded other precious stones for the gem-loving Romans. There are no definite descriptions of it by the gem writers of the early periods.
During the 17th century, Brazil exported long prisms of dark-green tourmaline to Europe but called them “Brazilian emeralds,” stating incorrectly that they were harder than true emeralds. It was not until the early part of the 18th century, however, that an incident led to the discovery that these beautiful crystals had a strange property not possessed by the emerald.
Elbaite Nampula
According to the story, one warm summer day some children in Amsterdam, Holland, were playing with tourmaline “stones” that had been brought home by Dutch navigators and noticed the odd effect produced on them by the sun rays. They were astonished to find that the stones could attract or repel, with decided force, such light weight substances as ashes and straws. Because of this, the Dutchmen call them “aschentrackers” or “ash drawers.”
Tourmaline’s name came from the Sinhalese word “turmali,” which means “mixed.” Bright rainbow collections of gemstone varieties were called “turmali” parcels. Tourmaline occurs in more colors and combinations of colors than any other gemstone variety. There is a tourmaline that looks like almost any other gemstone. Perhaps this is why this gemstone is said to encourage artistic intuition: it has many faces and expresses every mood.
Many stones in the Russian Crown jewels from the 17th century once thought to be rubies are actually tourmalines. The Chinese Empress Dowager Tz’u His, the last Empress of China, loved pink tourmaline and literally bought almost a ton of it from the New Himalayan Mine, located in California. The Himalayan Mine is still producing tourmaline today, but the Dowager went to rest eternally on a carved tourmaline pillow.
Tourmaline alternates with opal as the birthstone for the month of October.
Watermelon Tourmaline
During the medieval days, tourmaline was thought to heal physical and mental disorders as well as to prevent death. Tourmaline is said to calm nerves, regulate hormones, fight against genetic disorders and induce a tranquil sleep. It’s also supposed to relieve arthritis pain and help fight heart disease. According to legend, tourmaline is said to dispel fear, negativity and grief. Tourmaline of any color is supposed to protect the wearer against many dangers and misfortune.
Southern California is a world-recognized source of high quality tourmalines. Fine examples of red, pink, blue, green and watermelon gemstones come from mines in Riverside and San Diego counties. Tourmaline is also found in Sri Lanka, Brazil, Baja, Calif., Maine, New York, Connecticut, Afghanistan and Russia.
For the care and treatment of tourmaline, as with all gems, protect tourmaline from scratches and sharp blows. Avoid drastic temperature changes. Do not clean tourmaline in a home ultrasonic cleaner.
