Tourmaline is a highly versatile and colorful gemstone that comes in a wide range of hues, from vibrant pinks and reds to greens, blues, and even colorless. The name "tourmaline" originates from the Sinhalese word turmali, meaning "mixed colored stones," which reflects the variety of colors it can exhibit.

Tourmaline is a complex silicate mineral made up of boron, aluminum, and other elements, and its color variations are due to the different elements present in its structure. Some common varieties include:

• Rubellite: A red to pinkish-red variety.

• Siberite: A purplish hue.

• Indicolite: A blue to blue-green color.

• Watermelon tourmaline: A bi-colored stone, typically pink in the center and green around the edges, resembling a watermelon.

Tourmaline is prized for its beauty, as well as its durability, scoring between 7 and 7.5 on the Mohs scale. It's often used in fine jewelry, including rings, necklaces, and earrings. Additionally, tourmaline is believed to have metaphysical properties, with claims of promoting healing, balance, and spiritual growth. The gemstone is found in many locations worldwide, including Brazil, the U.S., and Africa.