Properties, features and meaning of green tourmaline

Verdelite is a green member of the rainbow world of tourmaline, which eighteenth-century European mineralogists classified as a distinct mineral variety. Due to its unique properties, it is in demand in jewelry, radio electronics, medicine and esoterics. The gem got its name “green tourmaline” from the Italian word verde - green and the Greek lithos - stone. Siberian tourmalines-verdelites are called sibirites.

However, back in the sixteenth century, Europeans called the amazingly shining green tourmalines brought by conquistadors from the New World “Brazilian emerald” because they were sure that they were emeralds. They attached great importance to the acquisition, sincerely believing that the precious stone brings glory to a righteous person. They were so expensive that not every monarch could afford to buy them.

A generous gift from the Ambassador of Brazil to King Charles, in recognition of his merits and assurance of friendship with Norway - a large green tourmaline, which since 1818 began to crown the crown of the Norwegian monarchs, at the same time serving as a talisman. Today, 1 carat of verdelite, depending on the quality, can cost from 40 to 100 US dollars.

History of the mineral

Since the times of Ancient Rus', green tourmaline has been used to decorate church paraphernalia, priestly robes, and royal regalia.

The era of green shining stones began in the Old World in the mid-16th century, when the conquistadors returned from discovering and conquering America. The crystals brought from the new colonies were called Brazilian emeralds. This historical misunderstanding was clarified only two centuries later, when mineralogists in Europe, having studied the characteristics of verdelite, recognized it as an independent variety.

Since the 18th century, it has been used to decorate the vestments of European clergy.

The stone was lucky with its “promotion” in the jewelry market. It was taken up by the great Carl Faberge himself, who was very fond of the gem.

Features of jewelry tourmaline in green shades

With the independence of the South American states, the flow of colored stones to the Old World decreased significantly.
And although green tourmaline can still be purchased today at a price of $30 to $50 per carat, jewelry with spectacular crystals is not so often found on sale. The price of green tourmaline directly depends on the brightness of the color of the crystal, its size and the play of light on the edges. Bright, transparent stones are in great demand on the market, but natural raw materials of decent quality are not always in abundance. Therefore, jewelers, using professional tricks, try to improve and refine the tourmalines received for cutting.

One of these techniques was firing green and blue colored stones at temperatures up to 650 degrees. As a result of the procedure, the natural, not very attractive color acquires an emerald tint, and on some crystals a polychrome effect is revealed.

Despite the high density and hardness of tourmaline crystals, this stone is still quite fragile and is often covered with tiny cracks that interfere with jewelry processing. In this case, the defects are filled with a special tinted resin and then cut.

Modern scientists have developed a method for producing synthetic crystals of green tourmaline. Some samples are in no way inferior to natural crystals in their basic characteristics, but due to the high cost of production, such stones do not become widespread. But counterfeits made of colored glass are found today and should alert the buyer with a suspiciously low price.

Green Tourmaline Clan

Natural green tourmalines are a prism pointed at the end. Druses of needle crystals are known, diverging radially in rays or like a fan. The green color of the mineral is created by iron and chromium. Several varieties of stone have been discovered:

1. Verdelite is the most famous, from the family of transparent elbaites, mono- or polychrome. The gradation of crystal shades extends from the base upward. Almost always, pinkish or yellowish-green specimens are found, sometimes with a transition from green to blue.
2. Watermelon - dark green shell - the “crust” hides the juicy scarlet, the color of ripe raspberries, ocher-yellow core of the stone.
3. “Cat's eye” is a decorative stone with clear dichroism. The largest specimen, weighing 76 carats, comes from Brazil.
4. “Deuterolite” - thanks to the admixture of vanadium, it changes color depending on the intensity of lighting. The gem was found in Russia.
5. Paraiba is a stone with a color range from emerald to deep blue; it is the brightest and most expensive variety. Named after the state in Brazil where it is mined.
6. Chameleonite is a stone that is green during the day and reddish-brown in artificial light.
7. Chrome tourmaline - the green tone of the mineral turns red when the crystal is analyzed under a Chelsea color filter.

The latter type of stone is very rare and valuable, much more expensive than classic verdelite.

The many-sided tourmaline is a heavenly stone of the earth’s depths.

An ancient Egyptian legend about the creation of the world says that the gods, having already created the world, decided to fly over it to see what they had done. And the picture that appeared before the demiurges made them very happy and made them feel proud of their work. But flying over the land and seas, they saw a multi-colored rainbow bridge that began beyond the horizon and went into the distance as far as the eye could see. The gods really liked this picture, and they decided that there should be something similar to this beautiful picture on earth. Therefore, they approached the rainbow, and having flown around it, they collected all its colors and embodied them in stones, which absorbed all its shades. And these stones are called tourmalines. Varieties of this mineral come in many colors: all the colors of the rainbow, plus black and transparent. But pure, monochrome tourmaline is rather rare. More often, these stones contain several colors at once: green-red, yellow-orange, and many other combinations.

Turamaline is a group of boron-containing aluminosilicate minerals. The name “tourmaline” itself comes to us from the Sinhala language (tura mali), and means “multi-colored magic stone”. And it is truly multi-colored: there are about seven colors found around the world, which depend on the content of iron, magnesium or chromium in the stone. There are black, pink, red, blue, blue, green, watermelon and multi-colored specimens. And each variety has been known since ancient times for its own characteristics and properties, which sometimes seem fabulous, but for too long we have been attributing magical properties to this mineral to simply brush aside information that is twice as old as the Roman Empire. Humanity has been familiar with this mineral for more than four thousand years, and its magical and healing properties are known all over the world, in different cultures that could not contact each other. But, nevertheless, people from different continents and cardinal directions know all the healing and magical properties of this stone as if they received them from the same source.

In India, tourmaline is considered a stone that is a conductor between earth and sky. Indian yogis are familiar with blue tourmaline and use it for meditation, claiming that this mineral helps them reject everything worldly and focus on communicating with the Higher Mind. And Indian astronomers have also long been familiar with this variety of tourmaline, calling the blue transparent mineral the stone of the Cosmos. They use it like yogis - tourmaline helps them focus on the infinity of space, clearing their minds of earthly things, pointing them in the direction of their search. In professional circles it is called indigolite.

And pink or crimson stone - rubellite - on Russian soil since time immemorial has been associated with sublime, pure love. This type of tourmaline is usually given to lovers; such a gift symbolizes purity of thoughts and sincerity of relationships. A talisman or decoration made of pink tourmaline will be a good protector of the family hearth, giving peace and confidence. This millennium stone is also considered the best assistant for unhappy lovers. After all, the ancient Greeks associated it with Aphrodite, and the Romans with Venus - the goddesses of beauty and love. This stone helps a person to love himself before relying on the love of others. Its second name is “sibirite”, because in Siberia this stone is often found in excellent quality.

It was pink tourmaline that was very loved by the imperial persons of Europe and Russia. Catherine the Second greatly appreciated this stone. Knowing her liking for pink tourmaline, the Czech king gave her a decoration in the form of a ripe bunch of grapes made of rubellite. Catherine was indescribably delighted with such a gift. The skill of processing and the quality of the stone made the stone bunch so similar to the real thing that you would want to taste it. This memento is still kept in the state repository.

But black, brown or gray tourmaline, known as scherl, has been associated with witchcraft and magic since ancient times. Black tourmaline was kept by druids, witches, sorcerers and magicians in Europe; healers and sorcerers in Russia have also valued this stone for a long time. It contains strong protective properties, it drives away negative energy from the owner, protects from evil, gives strength to focus on the main thing in any circumstances, helps to think constructively and positively. Perhaps this is why black tourmaline is chosen by leaders and managers. But nevertheless, you need to be careful with this stone: after all, since ancient times it has been associated with black magic.

The green color comes from verdelite, the second most common type of tourmaline. It got its name from the Italian verde - green and the Greek lithos - stone. It came to Europe from Brazil, so one of its names is “Brazilian emerald.” But in Siberia this mineral is also represented by no less worthy and valuable specimens. The magical properties of verdelite have also been known to mankind for a long time. In ancient times, they believed that wearing beads made from this mineral rejuvenates the body, improves skin condition, cleanses and strengthens the nervous system. This stone also gives a person the ability to understand the language of nature... not in the sense that the owner of tourmaline can talk to animals and birds, but verdelite helps to feel what energy comes from an animal or plant. South American Indians also considered this stone an assistant to hunters, herbalists and everyone who comes into contact with wildlife. Verdelit is like a translator, helping to more sensitively feel the surrounding forest and its inhabitants. Therefore, for centuries this stone has been a talisman for foresters, healers, gardeners and everyone else who is in one way or another connected with living nature.

Achroite is one of the rarest types of tourmaline. It is characterized by complete or almost complete colorlessness. Such a stone can be more transparent than rock crystal or have a white tint. Transparent tourmaline promotes spiritual harmony, concentration of thoughts, strengthening mental and physical strength. Beads, necklaces, rings made of transparent tourmaline are a good talisman for business people. You can count on the help of the mineral when concluding large transactions and conducting risky financial transactions.

I would especially like to mention polychrome tourmalines, which contain more than one color. For example, watermelon tourmaline contains green and pink colors, sometimes pink or red are in the center of the stone, and green seems to surround the pink core, which makes such a stone very similar to a watermelon. In addition to its alluring beauty, this type of tourmaline has the property of awakening in a person compassion, sensitivity, the ability to understand people and their aspirations, and to better express one’s experiences and intentions. Therefore, such a stone can often be seen on people who are associated with communication and help. Psychologists, doctors, negotiators and everyone who is in one way or another involved in communicating with people, treating their mental and physical traumas - these are the people for whom this mineral will become a faithful assistant. It is also credited with sedative properties, it strengthens and protects the nervous system. But polychrome tourmalines come in all sorts of color combinations; there can be more than five combinations in one stone.

I have already said that royalty loved this stone very much, seeing in it their equal. Therefore, tourmaline is rightfully considered a crown stone. In Europe, every second crown contained rubelites and verdelites; in Rus' they also decorated the headdresses of autocrats, and especially valuable icons were decorated with this stone.

And tourmaline itself requires a respectful and reverent attitude from the master. Knowing about its ability to feel and absorb a person’s internal energy, before working with tourmaline, I always find time to mentally prepare for contact with this magical stone. As a Buryat shaman from a remote village in the dense taiga taught me many years ago, the thoughts of a master should be empty, so as not to leave an extra mark on the stone... “You must free yourself from worldly experiences, leave your passion and greed, so that all this vanity did not touch the sensitive stone, and then tourmaline will fully reveal its incredible properties.” His words ring in my head every time I prepare to work with this magical mineral. And working on it always brings me a feeling of unprecedented calm and tranquility, the stone seems to glow with a light that cannot be seen, but its touch makes something inside vibrate with calmness and confidence. In general, each precious stone has its own magical, mysterious properties, but it is not for nothing that tourmaline is considered a conductor between earth and sky. With the right mental attitude, contact with these frozen pieces of the rainbow brings me a feeling of deep satisfaction and some kind of rightness.

Where is it mined?

Green crystals are found in hydrothermal or volcanic rocks, inclusions are present in granites and gneiss. The mineral is found next to topaz, smoky quartz, and beryl.

The number one mine is in Brazil, but the stones are distributed almost throughout the planet - the USA, Africa, the mountains of Pakistan and Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Madagascar.

There are also high-quality tourmalines in Russia. Old, almost completely depleted Ural deposits complement new deposits discovered in southern Siberia.

Impeccable jewelry material is supplied by Vietnam - the crystals are large, up to 20 cm, transparent, and have an excellent color range.

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It has been noticed that each deposit has its own density of green color in the crystals, different from others.

Famous stone samples

Large specimens are not uncommon among green stones. A striking example is the 30-centimeter druse from Madagascar, which has been regularly mined there for more than a hundred years.

South American record-breaking crystals:

1. “Rocket” - from Brazil, named for its external similarity (height just over a meter, width - 20 cm). Sold for $2 million.
2. Bright green of a high degree of purity with dimensions 33x7 cm, weighing about 2.5 kg.
3. “The Jolly Green Giant” - barely fits in a large palm, kept in the New York Museum of Natural History.

Any crystal in cross-section is a triangle with smoothed corners and clear longitudinal lines-indentations along the edges.

One of the most famous specimens is a giant gift from the Brazilian ambassador to the Norwegian king Charles XIV Johan. The founder of the Bernadotte dynasty ascended the throne in 1818, and the stone was inserted into his crown. It is believed that this is not just a decoration, but a talisman for the crowned person from external dangers and her own rash decisions.

Jewelry specifics of the gem

Green tourmaline is especially loved by jewelers; it is valuable for several reasons - a rich range of colors, affordable processing, and external similarity to emerald. It is no coincidence that another name for the gem is Brazilian emerald.

The color of the stone ranges from pale green to grassy, ​​and the brighter, the more valuable. But there is little material of high quality, so jewelers are trying to refine what they have.

One way is to fire green or blue stones at 450–650°C. The original unpresentable color becomes emerald, and some specimens become polychrome.

The second problem is the fragility of the seemingly solid crystal. It is often damaged by microcracks, making cutting impossible. A special tinted resin is pumped into them, after which the stones are cut.

For elite specimens, the cut is diamond at the top and stepped at the bottom, as well as emerald and fancy (“Marquise”, “Heart”). Less valuable stones or those with a “cat’s eye” effect are cut into cabochons, and for earrings they are made into a drop shape.

The crystal is a little soft, so it is often used for pendants, earrings, brooches, and is used less often for rings.

The frames are silver, gold, platinum. Green tourmaline looks good with any gems, except garnet.

The price of a stone is determined by saturation, transparency, weight, reflections on the edges. A jewelry crystal from five to ten carats costs $35–255 per carat, chromium-containing stones of two to five carats are valued at $155–380 per carat.

Physical characteristics and properties

Verdelite stones belong to the dimetric crystal group of the trigonal crystal system of the ditrigonal-bipyramidal symmetry class of the trigonal system of the ditrigonal-pyramidal type. They have a columnar habit of various shapes of stretched prisms with a triangular base, pronounced edges and irregular sharpness.

• Crystal color: various shades of green. Can be artificially increased in color intensity by heating up to 650 degrees.
• Stripe color is white;
• Glass shine;
• Transparency: transparent, translucent, opaque;
• Color: uniform, polychrome, “cat's eye”.

The polychrome color range of transparent stones can cover everything from pale green to grassy dark, possible spectrums of green - in a gradation of several (pink-green, yellow-green, green-blue) shades from base to top.

Having transparency of varying degrees of purity, the mineral has the ability to split a beam of light into two components within the framework of birefringence birefringence from −0.014 to −0.044 with a dispersion of 0.017 and a line of continuous nanometer 497, 461, 415 absorption spectrum, exhibiting distinct pleochroism from dark to light green .

Having a density of 3-3.25 g / cm³ and a high level of resistance to the mechanical deformation effects of solids, verdelite, on the Mohs mineralogical scale of relative hardness, is estimated in the range of 7 points with the passive and active hardness of quartz, capable of scratching glass with sharp edges. There is no peeling of the crystals. Green tourmalines are cut with diamonds using the cabochon method to create a brilliant or fancy cut.

However, the unclear cleavage of minerals with an uneven conchoidal fracture and a refractive index of 1.6 causes its fragility.

Exposure to pressure, friction and heat activates the process of converting thermal energy into electrical energy, during which the crystal polarizes and emits negative ions.

The pyroelectric effect allows you to attract dust and tiny particles, thereby performing irreplaceable cleaning functions. As a piezoelectric, it ionizes air and promotes the formation of anions. The electromagnetic properties of transparent crystals are also used to measure pressure under water.

Tourmaline stone can deteriorate when exposed to high temperatures and ultrasonic cleaners. When cleaning it from dirt, you can use brushes with delicate bristles and soft cloth, which, by friction, can enhance the shine of the stone. Therefore, it is recommended to store minerals in a fabric bag, thus protecting it from contact with other jewelry.

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Synthetic stones and fakes

Green tourmalines are presented in two types on the market - natural or fake.

There are no artificial crystals for sale. They have learned to synthesize them; their characteristics are no worse than natural ones, but the cost is so high that the technology is not in demand.

Green and black stones are the most common of tourmalines, so they are less often counterfeited. But there are still as many imitations made of colored glass as you like. There are several ways to recognize them:

• natural tourmaline attracts ash or pieces of paper;
• under artificial light, the color of tourmaline is poorly expressed, the color of the fake does not depend on this;
• Natural stones have a zonal color, while fake stones have a uniformly colored background.

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The final marker will be the price - natural tourmalines are not cheap.

In turn, refined green tourmalines are often passed off as emeralds.

Meaning of Zodiac Signs

Green tourmaline is suitable for air signs (Libra, Aquarius, Gemini). It will help reveal talents, increase opportunities, and relieve nervous tension.

Particular attention should be paid to such a sign as Leo. It seemed that these people were self-sufficient individuals in themselves. What they really need is the confidence and boost in self-esteem that this crystal provides.

Who should wear a green gem?

The uniquely positive energy makes green tourmaline suitable for any age. You can wear jewelry as much as you like. However, short breaks will not hurt, because tourmaline is strong and can influence the weaker energy of the owner. Therefore, when wearing jewelry or a stone, you should listen to your own feelings.

Tourmaline is useful for those who suffer from age-related ailments or are simply tired of life. The stone will restore optimism, instill joy, and make the owner healthier and stronger.

Young people need the gem even more. It will support healthy ambitions, determination, and the desire to achieve a goal. And to help, it will reveal your mental potential, teach you to concentrate, without getting hung up on little things, and calmly and confidently move towards your goal.

A necklace is a decoration and protective attribute of a woman. Rings are recommended for men to maintain tone and replenish vitality.

The healing effects of green tourmaline

Green tourmalines, like other precious crystals of this color, are universal healers.

Healing

Lithotherapists have been studying the properties and meaning of green stone for centuries. And they found out that he heals the spiritual and physical condition of a person:

• diseases of the circulatory system, hematopoiesis, atherosclerosis;
• normalization of the functioning of the reproductive system;
• accelerating the body's regeneration after a serious illness or mental exhaustion;
• calming hot-tempered, aggressive people, restoring sleep;
• reduction of teenage hyperactivity;
• relief of the condition of elderly people suffering from sclerosis;
• protection against food poisoning, getting rid of toxins, improving digestion;
• improvement of the condition of muscles and joints;
• stabilization of pressure, strengthening of the heart, blood vessels, removal of cholesterol plaques;
• epilepsy attacks are relieved;
• contemplation of the stone relieves tension in the eye muscles.

The stone is applied to affected or diseased areas of the body.

Finally, green tourmaline in silver, used in body jewelry, slows down the aging of the skin, for which it has been dubbed the gem of youth.

The bracelet is especially popular in this regard. In addition, it is almost always without a precious frame, so it is affordable.

Official medicine

Academic medical science does not refuse the help of a stone:

1. Tourmaline ionizes the air, which is used in hospitals to purify the air.
2. Tourmaline crumbs contain medical products and devices (heaters for the treatment of joints, backs, health mattresses, belts, knee pads, underwear for osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias).

The stone acts gently, quietly healing the aura, creating a protective energy cocoon around the owner. This is a powerful “battery” for natural energy recharging.

Contraindications

Green tourmaline should not be used in the following cases:

• increased body temperature;
• bleeding, hemorrhagic strokes;
• thyroid diseases;
• stage of exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• pregnancy, breastfeeding.

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Caution is required when using a pacemaker simultaneously. The stone is placed on damaged soft tissues only after 24 hours.

Magical properties of the stone

Green crystal is beneficial for the heart chakra, relieving medical problems with the heart, harmonizing life.

The magical properties of the crystal help get rid of depression, fear, and anxious thoughts. The stone is useful if there are other problems:

• clears the mind, helps to concentrate, gives insight;
• gives a chance to break out of the impasse of problems, to find oneself, for which it gives ideas and rethinking of common truths;
• protects from any external negativity;
• draws away passionate attraction, cools lust, so the owner will be confident and calm.

Green tourmaline is a guide through the world of wildlife. The energy of the stone does not forgive violence against it, so a person accustomed to hunting, thoughtless cutting of trees, and the like, is better off refusing contact with the gem. Otherwise, his luck will run out.

For the rest, the stone will teach you to feel the world around you, live in balance with it, and understand the language of plants and animals.

To maximize the effect and quickly, Tourmaline is worn as a ring or pendant.

Other Application Methods

Meditation

Take the stone in your hands or place it on the heart chakra area. Imagine a soft light emanating from the mineral and enveloping your entire body.

1. The most common practice is to meditate with a sherl. This makes it possible to quickly and safely cleanse the aura.
2. Meditation with pink tourmaline is used to restore a sense of integrity and significance of one’s being, and to enhance the feeling of universal love.
3. With green - for the growth of spirituality.
4. With blue - to enhance paranormal abilities and intuition.

Application according to Feng Shui

The magical properties of tourmalines of different colors are associated with different primary elements and elements, which is why according to Feng Shui their meaning is different. And they are used in different ways.

1. Rubellite is placed in the southern part of the house, apartment, room. The stone is designed to improve the family's reputation in society and promote the career advancement of its members.
2. Verdelite is associated with the primary element Wood. Therefore, it is endowed with the energy of growth, fertility, and physical development. The mineral is good to place in a children's room, as well as in the dining area. It is best to place it in the east or southeast of the room.
3. Indigolite and scherl are stones of peace, good sleep and tranquility. They are usually located in the bedroom, in relaxation and meditation areas. Often placed on the bedside table, preferably on the north side of the room.

Green tourmaline and space

The power of the stone obeys the lunar rhythms. It is most powerful when the light is at a loss, and the more time has passed after the full moon, the more powerful the magical or healing capabilities of the gem. On the young Moon, the crystals are washed under running water and then exposed to the sun at its zenith. Chinese experts consider this time and method the best to return energy to the stone.

Astrologers believe that verdelites are suitable for all water and earth signs of the Zodiac. For Gemini, Libra, Taurus, Aquarius, Virgo, Cancer, Scorpio, the pebble will help in all respects.

In this case, Gemini, Aquarius, Libra are better off choosing green tourmalines with a silver frame. And if the owner wears the jewelry on the day of the week on which he was born, the stone will activate his personal potential.

For fire signs, the crystal is allowed in combination with a diamond or citrine. They will become calmer, stubbornness and temper will be smoothed out.

According to another system, for each day of the week you need a pebble of a certain color. Green tourmaline is most powerful on Mondays and Saturdays, especially when set in gold.

Tourmalines love dust

The piezoelectric properties of crystals do a disservice to the owner of gem jewelry. They literally attract household dust. Leave tourmaline jewelry outdoors and within a week it will become covered in a thick layer of dust.

Tourmaline gems are durable and hard. You don’t have to worry too much that the stones will be scratched by their “neighbors” in the jewelry “communal apartment”. Although separate cases are always very desirable for jewelry.

Caring for tourmaline is easy. Contaminated jewelry is washed in a neutral soap solution. The remaining detergent is washed off with running water.

Steam cleaning and ultrasonic cleaning are not recommended.