Members of the tourmaline family of minerals have the same basic crystal structure, but occur in many different colours.

Indicolite – blue
Rubbelite – red and pink
Dravite – honey, brownish yellow
Achroite – colourless
Watermelon – pink centre and green rim
Schorl – black
Green and Yellow

Tourmaline is one of the birthstones for October (with Opal), signifying hope.
Crystal Structure:  Trigonal
Composition: Complex borosilicate
Hardness:  7.5
Metaphysical Properties:  Tourmaline can be used to attract inspiration, to diminish fear by promoting understanding, and to encourage self-confidence.
It provides for a balancing of the male / female energies within the body; it further provides for balancing of the mind, of the energy centers, and of the auric body, inducing the alignment of the mental processes and the chakras with the ethereal structure.
It is valued as a ‘teller stone’ in ancient Eastern Indian culture, providing insight during times of struggle and ‘telling’ who and / or what was the cause of trouble. It has been used by shamen among the African, Native American Indian and Aboriginal tribes and is thought to bring healing powers to the user and to provide protection from danger.
Tourmaline can stimulate communication and co-operation between opposing forces and has been used to encourage self-confidence and reduce fear and nervousness by promoting understanding. It is a tranquil, calming stone thought to be good for the lymphatic and digestive systems.
Occurrence:  An important source for indicolite and rubellite is Siberia (Russia). Other important sites include Madagascar, Brazil and Namibia.
 

Remark: Tourmaline, apparently derived from the Sinhalese ‘turamali’, referring to mixed-colour gems of unknown identity. Judging from excavations and written descriptions, its diversity of colour made tourmaline very popular as a precious stone in ancient times.