TOURMALINE
Picture 1 Picture 2SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION: Tourmaline which is green-and-pink zoned, (pink in the center and green on the outside,) is referred to as Watermelon Tourmaline. The coloring is most pronounced when cut in "slices" perpendicular to the long axis of the crystal. The Tourmaline group is a complex silicate of boron and aluminum, whose composition varies widely because of substitutions. The chemical formula reflects this complexity, Na(Mg, Fe)3Al6(BO3)3(Si6O18)(OH,F)4. The hardness is between 7 and 7-1/2 and the streak is white.
ENVIRONMENT: Tourmaline forms in igneous and metamorphic rocks and veins. It occurs with lepidolite, microcline, and spodumene in granite pegmatites; with andalusite and biotite in schist of regional metamorphic rocks; with siderite and quartz in hypothermal veins, nd with molybdenite and cassiterite in massive hydrothermal replacement deposits.
OCCURRENCE: The most famous Tourmaline deposits are in Sri Lanka, the Soviet Union (Urals), Afghanistan, Burma, California, Maine, Connecticut, Brazil, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
GEMSTONE INFORMATION: Tourmalines are mounted or cut into faceted gems.
NAME: The name is from the Singhalese [touramalli], which means "mixed colored stones". The reference to Watermelon refers to the appearance of a "slice".
LEGEND and LORE: I am unable to find any "ancient" references to Tourmaline. I think this is partially due to them being confused with other stones that their coloring resembles. The closest that I could come was a reference to the "ancients" using various colors of Tourmaline for "calming and relaxation."
MAGICAL PROPERTIES: In the past, Tourmaline (of any color) was not commonly used for magical purposes. Cunningham suggests its use for balancing the male and female aspects of personality.
HEALING: This stone, because of it's dual coloring is considered important in linking the upper and lower Chakras. It is associated with the Heart Chakra for this purpose. It is also recommended as a "balancing" stone, because it contains opposite colors (green/red).
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: I use Watermelon Tourmaline as a primary stone for healing work involving cancer and Aids. Often, if I have to choose a single stone for anyone with these diseases, I will choose Watermelon Tourmaline. Green Tourmaline is a general healing stone, and Pink Tourmaline works with the heart and emotions. The combination works well for all-around healing and understanding of the basic causes.
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1. Scientific, Environment, Occurrence and Name are from (or paraphrased from) "The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals".
2. Precious and semi-precious gemstone information may come from "Gemstones" by E. H. Rutland.
3. Other Precious and semi-precious gemstone information may come from "Gem Cutting", sec. ed., by John Sinkankas.
4. Legends and Lore, Magical Properties are from "Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic", by Scott Cunningham.
5. Some of the healing information may come from "Color and Crystals, A Journey Through the Chakras" by Joy Gardner.
6. Some of the healing information may come from "A Journey Through the Chakras" by Joy Gardner.
7. Personal Experience is from MY personal experience, journals and notebooks, by Tandika Star.
8. Birthstone poem from "The Occult and Curative Powers of Precious Stones" by William T. Fernie, M.D.
WATERMELON TOURMALINE: The best heart chakra healer around. It cleanses the old while building the new. The green ray heals the emotional wounds the heart has stored while the pink inspires the love to flow within and without. It helps build a sense of humor for those who take life too seriously. Balances the projective and receptive (masculine and feminine) energies within the body.
Compiled by Fern Bouchard
Tourmaline (All colors): Aids balance of endocrine system. Aids sleep. Strengthens, vitalizes body/mind. Acitvates and enhances crystaline properties of body/mind. Aligns subtle bodies. Dispels fear and negative conditions. Strong protective influence. Concentration, inspiration. Enhances sensitivity and understanding. Powerful healer, highly electromagnetic. The various colors will activate and align corresponding chakras:
Black (Schorl) - 1
Watermelon - 1,4
Green - 4
Blue (Indicolite) - 5, 6
Red/Pink(Rubelite) - 1,4
By Legion of Light
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