The word tourmaline has its origins in the Sinhalese term turmali, a name given to all coloured crystals
on the island of Sri Lanka at one time. These brightly coloured gems were brought to Europe
in great quantity by the Dutch East India Company to satisfy the demand for gems and curiosities:
tourmaline has pyroelectric properties – the ability to attract and then repel hot ashes –
and was sometimes referred to as Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) Magnet.
More recently, new deposits have been found in Mozambique and Nigeria. African stones are larger
than those mined elsewhere – cut stones over 100 carats in size are known, with 20 carats being typical.
Tourmaline is believed to transform negative energy to positive and attract success.
It is the gemstone of love and friendship, and is said to create solid and long-lasting relationships.
