Tourmaline is a vibrant and versatile gemstone known for its remarkable range of colors, from deep blacks and vivid greens to neon blues and pinks. A complex borosilicate mineral, tourmaline forms in the trigonal crystal system and ranks 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it suitable for everyday jewelry. Its name comes from the Sinhalese word “turmali,” reflecting its historical mix-up with other gemstones. Tourmaline’s rich color variations result from different chemical compositions, with notable types including black schorl, pink rubellite, and the rare electric-blue Paraíba tourmaline. Prized for both its beauty and unique properties—such as its ability to become electrically charged—tourmaline is found in countries like Brazil, Afghanistan, and the U.S., and is also valued in metaphysical circles for its protective and healing energies.