Tourmalines are valuable stones displaying a unique magnificence of colours. According to an ancient Egyptian legend this is the result of the fact that on the long way from the Earth’s heart up towards the sun, Tourmaline travelled along a rainbow. And on its way it collected all the colours of the rainbow. This is why nowadays it is called the "Rainbow gemstone”.

However, the name "Tourmaline” has been derived from the Singhalese phrase "tura mali”, which translates as "stone of mixed colours.” The very name already refers to the unique spectrum of colours displayed by this gemstone, which is second to none in the dominion of precious stones. Tourmalines are red and green, range from blue to yellow. Often they show two or more colours and are exquisite for this parti- or multi-coloured appearance. There are Tourmalines which change their colour from daylight to artificial light, others display chattoyance. No Tourmaline exactly resembles another one: this gemstone shows many faces and is thus outstandingly suited to match all moods and tempers. It does not come as a surprise, then, that ever since ancient days it has been credited with magical powers. Tourmaline is supposed to be an especially powerful influence on love and friendship, lending them permanence and stability.

The dissimilar shades of colour have been assigned different names in the trade. For example, deep red Tourmaline is named "Rubellite”, provided it shows the same fine ruby-red shade in daylight and in artificial light. Should the colour change when the source of light changes, the stone will be called a "Pink Tourmaline”. Blue Tourmalines are called "Indigolith”, "Dravite” is a golden-brown to dark brown Tourmaline, and black Tourmalines are known as "Schorl”. The last stone is mainly used for engravings and in esotericism, where it is highly cherished because it is alleged to ward off harmful radiation from its wearer.

These are by no means all the names Tourmaline has achieved: there still have to be mentioned bi-coloured and multi-coloured Tourmalines Very accepted are also slices cut as cross-sections through Tourmalines, as these will render the full brilliance of colours embedded in a specific Tourmaline. For example, such slices taken from Tourmalines with red heart and green border are called a "Watermelon-Tourmaline”; slices with a clear heart and a black border are called "Moor’s head –Tourmaline”.

Tourmalines are mined everywhere in the world. There are significant occurrences in Brazil, in Sri Lanka and South and Southwest Africa. Other occurrences are situated in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Madagascar, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Tourmalines are also found in the USA, first of all in Maine and Utah. But although there are rich occurrences of Tourmalines all over the world, good qualities and bright colours are only rarely offered on the market. Therefore, then, the price range achieved by Tourmaline almost matches its wide range of colours.

Tourmaline is a very special stone indeed and holds an outstanding position in the enthralling world of gemstones. Its excellent availability and unique magnificence of colours make it one of the most popular gemstones – and besides almost every Tourmaline is an original.