Tourmaline

A complex beauty

Tourmaline has a particularly complex atomic structure, which among other things gives the stone positively and negatively charged ends. According to the ancient Egyptians, the gemstone fell from the heavens to earth, passing through a rainbow and absorbing all of its colours, including black and colourless. Tourmaline was brought to Europe relatively late, by sailors in the eighteenth century. Today it is found in Sri Lanka, Brazil, Pakistan, Western Australia, Afghanistan, Mexico and Italy, among other places.

Black tourmaline

Besides the colourful varieties there is also black tourmaline, known as schorl, which has been known and loved since antiquity. Both the Greeks and the ancient Egyptians believed black tourmaline encouraged self-confidence and perseverance. It also seemed to have magical properties: when heated over a wood fire, it attracted the ash beneath it, which was a great mystery at the time. Today we know the effect is electrical, rather like static in your hair. Because of its unusual composition, black tourmaline becomes positively charged at one end and negatively charged at the other when heated, a property known as pyroelectricity.

Protection

Black tourmaline is also credited with protective qualities in modern life: some people place it next to electrical devices such as a television or computer in the belief that it limits their radiation. Besides colourful and jet-black tourmaline, there is also colourless tourmaline, the rarest form of all.

The golden triangle

Perhaps you have heard of the golden triangle of gemstones, a powerful trio of rock crystal, rose quartz and amethyst. Tourmaline is often added to it for extra protection against negative outside influences, as it is believed both to absorb negative energy and to give off positive energy. With its dual nature and complex structure, tourmaline is a perfect match for the star sign Scorpio.

Curious to see how this remarkable, versatile gemstone is used in jewellery? Discover our collection of vintage tourmaline jewellery. All our pieces are original vintage, so they are a sustainable choice you can wear with pride.

Care

Tourmaline can be brittle. Clean it with a little mild soap and lukewarm water, using a soft brush, then rinse well and dry with a soft cloth. Avoid steam and heat.

Discover our collection of vintage tourmaline jewellery.