Green tourmaline properties

The tourmaline family is a group of complex minerals with a highly variable chemical composition, resulting in a wide range of colors and varieties. Each type of tourmaline is identified either by a specific name or by the term "tourmaline" followed by the stone’s dominant color.

 

 

Green tourmaline, often called verdelite, stands out with its shades ranging from pale green to deep green, including olive, emerald, and bottle-green tones. Its color is primarily due to the presence of iron and titanium, although some more intense varieties are colored by chromium or vanadium, giving them a more vibrant saturation and a visual resemblance to emeralds.

The different varieties of green tourmaline are:

• The classic verdelite: This variety includes most green tourmalines, with shades ranging from light to dark green, often translucent to transparent.
• Chrome-bearing tourmaline: A rare and valuable variety where the intense color is due to the presence of chromium and vanadium, giving it a hue similar to the finest emeralds. This variety is mainly mined in Brazil and East Africa.
• Green dravite tourmaline: Less common, it has a green-brown or olive-green hue with lower transparency due to a high magnesium content.
• Watermelon tourmaline: A bicolored tourmaline that combines green and pink within the same crystal, creating a highly sought-after aesthetic contrast.

The resemblance between green tourmaline and emerald has led to many historical confusions. This misunderstanding is particularly frequent for chrome-bearing tourmalines, whose color rivals that of the finest emeralds from Colombia or Zambia.

A famous example of this confusion dates back to the Spanish colonial era when conquistadors discovered magnificent green stones in Brazil. Believing they had found a new emerald deposit, they exported them to Europe, where they were set in prestigious jewelry. It was only centuries later, thanks to advances in gemology, that some of these "emeralds" were identified as green tourmalines.

Famous examples of green tourmaline jewelry include:

• The emerald and diamond necklace of the Duchess of Windsor: This famous piece, auctioned at Sotheby’s in 1987, was believed to contain 27 Colombian emeralds surrounded by diamonds. After a thorough analysis, it was revealed that these stones were actually green tourmalines, a discovery that generated great interest in the jewelry world.
• The emerald and diamond tiara of the Swedish royal family: This tiara, worn by Queen Silvia of Sweden, was once considered to be adorned with genuine emeralds. However, modern gemological analyses revealed that these stones were in fact green tourmalines, once again demonstrating the ability of this gemstone to rival the finest emeralds.

Due to its beauty and brilliance, green tourmaline is now a popular alternative to emeralds, offering a more affordable option while maintaining an impressive visual quality. Its hardness, ranging from 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, makes it suitable for durable everyday jewelry.

Mines: Brazil, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the USA, Sri Lanka, Russia, Angola, Australia, Burma, India, Italia and Tanzania.

History, legends, and beliefs about green tourmaline

Green tourmaline, or verdelite, has been known since antiquity, though it was long mistaken for other gemstones, particularly emerald. While tourmaline was used well before it was scientifically identified, it was only recognized as a distinct mineral species in the early 18th century.

Some theories suggest that green tourmaline was already known in ancient Egypt. The Egyptians believed that this stone was born from the heart of the Earth and had traveled through a rainbow on its way to the surface, explaining the diversity of its colors. This legend applies to all tourmalines but holds particular significance for verdelite, which was associated with fertility, renewal, and heart protection. Green stones have been found in some Egyptian tombs, though their exact nature is not always identifiable. It is possible that some of these stones were tourmalines, regarded as bearers of protective and abundant energy.

In China and India, green tourmaline has long been linked to energy balance and well-being. Traditional Chinese medicine attributes to it properties that harmonize the flow of qi (vital energy), while in India, it is sometimes associated with the heart chakra (Anahata), fostering love, compassion, and vitality. In some regions of Asia, green tourmalines were set into amulets and used as talismans to attract prosperity and ward off illness. They were also incorporated into imperial seals and court jewelry, especially during the Qing dynasty in China.

In South America, where numerous green tourmaline deposits are found, indigenous peoples viewed this stone as a link between the Earth and spiritual forces. Among certain Amazonian tribes, verdelite was used by shamans to channel the energies of nature, purify the soul, and strengthen connections with forest spirits.

Among Native American tribes of North America, green tourmaline was sometimes considered a stone of regeneration. Healers wore it to restore vital energy and promote the healing of both physical and emotional wounds.

Since the Renaissance, green tourmaline has been set into prestigious jewelry and included in the collections of European royal families. Its resemblance to emerald made it a valuable alternative, often chosen to adorn tiaras, brooches, and ceremonial necklaces.

Healing properties and benefits of the green tourmaline or verdelite

Throughout human history, man has attributed various healing properties, virtues, and beliefs to green tourmaline. The information presented here is shared for cultural and historical purposes, to illustrate the symbolic relationship between this stone and man throughout time and civilizations. It does not constitute a therapeutic or medical recommendation.

• Green tourmaline is renowned for stimulating the body’s natural defenses and promoting better resistance to infections.
• It is considered beneficial for the venous and lymphatic systems, helping to prevent issues related to poor circulation, such as varicose veins or feelings of heavy legs.
• It is said to be effective against blood poisoning, anemia, and intoxications by aiding in the elimination of toxins from the body.
• This stone is linked to purification and cellular renewal, assisting the liver, kidneys, and pancreas in their role of filtering impurities.
• Traditionally, it has been used to soothe eye disorders, improve vision, and reduce eye fatigue.
• It is known for combating chronic fatigue, restoring energy, and enhancing overall vitality.
• Certain traditions attribute verdelite with beneficial effects on neurological disorders such as epilepsy or muscle spasms.
• Like nature’s regenerative cycles, green tourmaline is linked to personal growth, creativity, and open-mindedness.
• It supports those who struggle with decision-making or lack self-confidence.
• Like other tourmalines, it acts as an energetic shield, absorbing and neutralizing negative influences.
• It is ideal for those looking to establish smoother and more sincere communication with those around them.
• Known as the “stone of the garden,” it is used to promote plant growth and enhance the effects of medicinal plants. Some even bury it near crops to energize the soil and strengthen plant vitality.
• It is valued for its grounding role while facilitating an opening to the energies of nature and living beings.

 

 

Green tourmaline jewelry samples