Scientific

Tourmaline is a complex crystalline boron silicate compounded with other elements such as aluminum, copper, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, or potassium.  Each of the different elements imparts a different color to the crystal, and as different elements gradually replace each other in the crystal structure the color can vary within one crystal.  The most common color is black, also common are green, pink, red, and yellow.  Other colors which are less common are blue, purple, white, grey, orange, and brown.  It is one of the most colorful of the earth’s gemstones.  Not missing a chance to identify the uniqueness, different colored (i.e. different element combinations) tourmalines are known by different names, at least 12 are commonly recognized such as schorl (black), dravite (brown), elbaite which is  further subdivided by color into rubellite (red), watermelon (green and red), etc., to name a few.  In total there are 36 minerals in the group (endmember formulas) recognized by the international mineralogical association. Tourmaline is found in granites and granite pegmatites as well as in metamorphic schists and marbles indicating this mineral is formed at very high temperatures and pressures. The iron rich (schorl) and lithium rich tourmalines are generally found in granites, whereas magnesium rich tourmalines (dravite) is generally found in metamorphic rocks

Use

            The sole use of tourmaline is as specimens and gemstones.

Meaning

Black tourmaline (schorl) stimulates the base chakra and is the most protective of all crystals and transmutes all negative vibrations at all energetic levels.  It protects against all kinds of psychic attacks. Black Tourmaline (schorl) is known to aid in relieving stress, increase mental alertness, improve circulation, and strengthen the immune system. It is a powerful agent for reducing toxin-related ailments.  Black Tourmaline (schorl)  is a natural purifier cleansing the aura of compulsive thoughts, attachments, and entities.