Tourmaline is one of the most colourful gemstones on Earth — a shiny, striated hexagonal crystal that occurs in almost every shade imaginable, from deep black to vivid pink and green. Each colour is treasured for its own energy and chakra connection, which makes the many types of tourmaline a favourite among crystal lovers. This guide explores the main tourmaline varieties, their colours, and the metaphysical properties attributed to each.
What Is Tourmaline?
Tourmaline is a shiny, opaque-to-transparent gemstone with long, striated hexagonal crystals, found in a wide range of sizes and colours. It is mined mainly in Sri Lanka, Australia, Afghanistan and the United States. What sets tourmaline apart is its incredible colour range — and in crystal tradition, each colour is linked to a particular chakra and quality, giving every variety a distinct purpose.
The Main Types of Tourmaline
Here are the key tourmaline varieties and what each is known for.
Tourmaline Varieties and Their Properties
| Type of Tourmaline | Colour | Chakra / Key Property |
|---|---|---|
| Black (Schorl) | Black | Base chakra; grounding & protection |
| Blue (Indicolite) | Blue | Throat chakra; expression & clarity |
| Brown (Dravite) | Brown | Grounding; clears aura, heals family bonds |
| Green (Verdelite) | Green | Heart chakra; compassion & prosperity |
| Pink (Rubellite) | Pink | Heart chakra; attracts love, emotional healing |
| Red | Red | Sacral chakra; creativity & vitality |
| Watermelon | Pink-green | “Super activator” of the heart; love & balance |
| Yellow | Yellow | Solar plexus; personal power & business |
Popular Types of Tourmaline Explained
Black Tourmaline (Schorl)
The most famous variety, black tourmaline, is prized as a grounding and protective stone. It is connected to the base chakra and is believed to shield against negativity while supporting overall vitality.
Pink and Green Tourmaline
Pink tourmaline (rubellite) is a heart-chakra stone linked to love, tenderness and emotional healing, while green tourmaline (verdelite) is associated with compassion, renewal and attracting prosperity and abundance.
Blue and Yellow Tourmaline
Blue tourmaline (indicolite) activates the throat chakra, encouraging clear communication and dissolving blocked feelings, while yellow tourmaline stimulates the solar plexus, supporting personal power, confidence and success in business and study.
Watermelon Tourmaline
Perhaps the most beautiful variety, watermelon tourmaline combines pink and green in a single crystal — pink at the centre and green on the outside, just like the fruit. It is celebrated as a “super activator” of the heart chakra, fostering love, friendship, balance and diplomacy. Learn more in our dedicated guides on watermelon tourmaline and its detailed information.
Metaphysical Properties of Tourmaline
Across all its types, tourmaline is valued as a stone of protection, balance and healing. Each colour adds its own quality — grounding from black, love from pink, prosperity from green, and expression from blue — making tourmaline one of the most versatile crystals for energy work.
Important: These are traditional metaphysical beliefs valued for emotional wellbeing, not proven medical facts, and are not a substitute for professional healthcare. For any health concern, please consult a qualified doctor.
Explore More at AstroKapoor
Discover more stones in our Gemstones collection, read our guides on watermelon tourmaline, and learn about the effects of gemstones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main types of tourmaline?
The main types of tourmaline include black (schorl), blue (indicolite), brown (dravite), green (verdelite), pink (rubellite), red, yellow and watermelon tourmaline. Each variety has a distinct colour and is linked to a particular chakra and metaphysical quality.
What is black tourmaline good for?
Black tourmaline is the most popular variety, valued as a grounding and protective stone connected to the base chakra. In crystal traditions it is believed to shield against negative energy and support overall vitality and stability.
What is watermelon tourmaline?
Watermelon tourmaline is a striking variety that combines pink and green in a single crystal — pink at the centre and green on the outside, like the fruit. It is regarded as a “super activator” of the heart chakra, fostering love, friendship, balance and diplomacy.
Which tourmaline is best for love?
Pink tourmaline (rubellite) and watermelon tourmaline are considered the best types for love. Both are heart-chakra stones believed to attract love, deepen emotional connection and support healing of the heart.
What are the metaphysical properties of tourmaline?
Tourmaline is valued as a stone of protection, balance and healing, with each colour adding its own quality — grounding from black, love from pink, prosperity from green, expression from blue and personal power from yellow. These are traditional beliefs valued for emotional wellbeing.
