Tourmaline is a highly versatile and colorful gemstone known for its wide range of hues, from vibrant greens and pinks to blues, yellows, reds, and even multicolored varieties. It is a silicate mineral that comes in several different types, each with unique characteristics. Tourmaline is a complex borosilicate mineral containing aluminum, iron, magnesium, sodium, and other elements.

One of the distinguishing features of tourmaline is its pleochroism, meaning it can show different colors when viewed from different angles. This is especially apparent in certain types, like the famous watermelon tourmaline, which displays a pink center surrounded by a green outer layer.

Tourmaline can be found in a wide variety of colors and is often used in fine jewelry. Some well-known varieties include:

1. Rubellite: A red to pink tourmaline, often associated with love and passion.

2. Verdelite: A green tourmaline, which is among the most common and popular.

3. Indicolite: A rare blue tourmaline.

4. Paraíba Tourmaline: A vibrant neon blue to green variety, prized for its unique color and rarity.

5. Watermelon Tourmaline: A bi-colored variety with pink and green hues, resembling the color of a watermelon.

Tourmaline ranks between 7 and 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it a durable gemstone suitable for use in a wide range of jewelry pieces. It is found in locations around the world, including Brazil, Afghanistan, Africa, and the United States.

Tourmaline is also believed to have metaphysical properties, such as promoting balance and positive energy. It is associated with protection, healing, and emotional stability in various spiritual traditions.