About Tourmaline

Tourmaline is a complex boron silicate mineral rating 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, known for producing one of the widest colour ranges of any gemstone family. Pink and green are two of its most sought-after colours, each with a distinct role.

Pink Tourmaline (Rubellite)

Ranges from soft baby pink to a vivid, saturated raspberry-red, with 'Rubellite' generally referring to the deeper, more intensely coloured stones. Its colour comes from trace manganese within the crystal.

Green Tourmaline (Verdelite)

Ranges from pale mint to a rich forest green, prized in fine specimens for a phenomenon called pleochroism — showing different shades of green (and sometimes blue) when viewed from different angles.

Unique Facts

• Tourmaline crystals are pyroelectric and piezoelectric, meaning they generate a small electric charge when heated or compressed — a property once used to attract ash from pipe embers, giving Tourmaline the old nickname 'ash puller' in some cultures.
• A single Tourmaline crystal can grow in multiple colours along its length, producing the famous 'watermelon Tourmaline' with a pink core and green outer layer — a vivid reminder that Pink and Green Tourmaline are, at heart, the same mineral family.
• Fine Green Tourmaline showing strong pleochroism — a bright green in one direction and a blue-green in another — is valued higher than single-toned stones, a rarity factor unique to this gemstone.

Origin & Sources of Tourmaline

Brazil

The world's foremost source of fine Tourmaline, producing exceptional Pink, Rubellite and Green Tourmaline prized for saturated colour.

Afghanistan

A significant source of fine Pink Tourmaline and Rubellite, valued for warm, intense colour.

Africa (Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania)

Increasingly important sources of both Pink and Green Tourmaline, offering strong colour saturation.

Benefits of Wearing Tourmaline

Pink Tourmaline (Shukra)

As a gentle Venus gemstone, Pink Tourmaline is traditionally worn to support love, emotional warmth, compassion and harmony in relationships.

Green Tourmaline (Budh)

As Emerald's substitute, Green Tourmaline is believed to carry Mercury's influence toward clear communication, sharper intellect and improved focus, in a milder form than precious Emerald.

Astrological Substitute of Emerald

Green Tourmaline is worn as a larger, more accessible substitute for Emerald, offering a similar green energy to strengthen Mercury without the cost of precious Panna.

Healing & Wellness

Tourmaline is a popular healing crystal; Pink Tourmaline is traditionally linked to the heart chakra and Green Tourmaline to renewal and vitality.

Who Should Wear Tourmaline

By Zodiac Sign (Rashi) — Pink Tourmaline

Most beneficial for Taurus (Vrishabha) and Libra (Tula) moon signs, the zodiac signs ruled by Venus.

By Zodiac Sign (Rashi) — Green Tourmaline

Most beneficial for Gemini (Mithun) and Virgo (Kanya) moon signs, the zodiac signs ruled by Mercury.

Wear as Your Birthstone

Pink Tourmaline is a recognised alternative October birthstone, sharing the month with Opal, valued for its warm, romantic colour.

Tourmaline Quality

Pink Tourmaline Colour

A vivid, saturated pink-to-raspberry tone with minimal brown undertone is most valued; the deepest, most intense stones are classified as Rubellite.

Green Tourmaline Colour

A rich, pure green — ideally with attractive pleochroism between green and blue-green — is most prized; overly dark or yellowish-green stones are lower quality.

Clarity

Avoid stones with major dark inclusions, visible surface cracks, or a cloudy, dull appearance; Tourmaline often grows with fine internal 'trichites' or fractures, so genuinely clean, eye-clean stones command a premium.

Cut

A well-proportioned oval, cushion, emerald or octagon cut brings out higher brilliance and more even colour distribution for a noticeably better overall appearance.

Carat / Ratti Weight

Vedic astrology typically recommends Tourmaline in Ratti (1 Ratti = 0.91 carat), commonly 5 to 8 Ratti (approx. 4.5–7.3 carats) for Green Tourmaline, given its milder potency compared to Emerald.

Price of Tourmaline in India

Price depends primarily on variety, colour saturation and clarity. Natural Tourmaline in India typically starts from ₹450 per carat for commercial quality, with fine Rubellite reaching ₹40,000+ per carat.

Buying Guide — Authenticity & Certification

What to Watch For

Genuine Tourmaline is not commonly heat-treated for colour, though some stones in the wider market undergo minor clarity enhancement. Only Natural Gemstones does not sell heat-treated or clarity-enhanced Tourmaline — every stone is 100% natural, with lab certification to prove it.

Common Substitutes

Pink Tourmaline is occasionally confused with Pink Sapphire, while Green Tourmaline can resemble Peridot or Emerald at a glance — each is distinguishable from the others under expert gemological examination.

Why Certification Matters

A gemological lab report confirms the stone is natural Tourmaline, verifying variety, origin indicators and authenticity before it is worn as a planetary remedy.

Why Only Natural Gemstones

• Lifetime guarantee of authenticity on every gemstone we sell.
• Certified by the most trusted gemological laboratories, with reports you can verify online using the certificate number, before or after purchase.
• 100% natural, unheated and untreated gemstones only — never lab-grown, dyed or synthetically enhanced.
• Expert guidance from our in-house Astro Gem Experts to help you choose the right gemstone for your horoscope and budget.
• Customisation available — get your gemstone set in a ring or pendant of your choice, including a traditional open-back setting.
• Every gemstone is energised and activated through Vedic rituals before dispatch, so it is ready to deliver maximum benefit from the day it reaches you.

How to Wear Tourmaline — Vedic Method

Pink Tourmaline (Venus)

Set in silver or white gold, worn on the middle finger of the right hand, ideally on a Friday morning. Purify by soaking in raw milk and Ganga jal, then chant the Venus mantra — 'Om Shum Shukraya Namah' — 108 times.

Green Tourmaline (Mercury)

Set in gold or Panchdhatu, worn on the little finger of the working hand, ideally on a Wednesday morning. Purify by soaking in raw milk and Ganga jal, then chant the Mercury mantra — 'Om Budhaya Namah' — 108 times.

Setting

An open-back setting is recommended for both varieties so the stone touches the skin directly for maximum benefit.

Recommended Weight

Commonly 5 to 8 Ratti (approx. 4.5–7.3 carats), though exact weight should be determined by horoscope and body weight, ideally under astrological guidance.

Trial Period

A short trial period of a few days to a few weeks is recommended for either variety, especially for Green Tourmaline before progressing to precious Emerald.

Customisation

Get your gemstone customised into a ring or pendant of your choice at Only Natural Gemstones, complete with a traditional open-back setting for maximum skin contact.

Energisation

Every gemstone from Only Natural Gemstones is energised and activated through traditional Vedic rituals before it reaches you, so it is ready to wear and deliver benefits from day one.

Tourmaline After Care — Cleaning & Maintenance

Cleaning

Clean gently with mild soap, lukewarm water and a soft brush; pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

What to Avoid

Keep away from harsh chemicals, perfumes, ultrasonic cleaners and sudden temperature changes. Remove your ring before swimming, exercising or household cleaning.

Storage

Store separately from harder gemstones in a soft pouch or fabric-lined box to prevent scratches, since Tourmaline is softer than Sapphire or Diamond.

Re-energising

As per Vedic tradition, periodically re-energise your Tourmaline by chanting the relevant planetary mantra, especially after deep cleaning or extended periods of non-wear.

Tourmaline - FAQs