Introduction

Tourmaline has been treasured as a gemstone for centuries, revered by ancient civilizations around the world. The name itself comes from the Sinhalese word “turmali” meaning “stone of mixed colors,” referring to the rainbow of hues found across the tourmaline crystal family.  

Green tourmaline is a precious gemstone variety belonging to this extensive tourmaline group. Its rich verdant colors range from pale minty greens to deep forest hues, with emerald green being the most prized. Unlike emerald which receives its color from trace amounts of chromium and vanadium, green tourmaline owes its vibrant green hues to iron within its crystal structure.

Metaphysically, green tourmaline resonates with the heart chakra, invigorating one’s capacity for compassion, unconditional love and abundance. It carries strong healing energies, known for promoting emotional balance, patience and inner strength. 

Compared to other colored tourmalines which can be found in sizable quantities, fine green tourmaline is fairly rare especially in sizes over one carat. The most brilliant gem-quality green tourmaline hails from Brazil, with important deposits also located in Africa and North America.

Meaning and Symbolism

The green tourmaline crystal has been treasured since ancient times for its vibrant color and healing properties. It is closely associated with the heart chakra, making it a powerful stone for emotional healing, inspiration and vitality. 

In crystal healing lore, the green tourmaline is connected to nature and the vibrant energy of springtime. Its verdant color evokes renewal, plant growth, and the lifegiving elements of sun, water and soil. It resonates with the energy of Mother Earth, acting as a reminder of our deep bond with the natural world.

This stone has long been believed to balance emotions and awaken creativity. Its high vibrational energy can clear blocked emotions, transform negative thought patterns, and inspire new ideas. Ancient magicians and healers utilized green tourmaline to connect with nature spirits and the Divine feminine.

Throughout history, green tourmaline has represented the human soul and the union of heaven and earth. It continues to be regarded as a stone of spirituality and insight. Meditating with a green tourmaline crystal can help quiet the mind, open the heart and align one's whole being.

Healing Properties

Green tourmaline is highly regarded for its powerful healing properties, both physically and emotionally. Here are some of the main benefits attributed to this remarkable crystal:

• Emotional healing - Green tourmaline is an excellent stone for relieving stress, anxiety, depression, and destructive feelings. It helps restore emotional balance and instills a sense of peace and tranquility. The calming energy of green tourmaline also promotes forgiveness.
• Physical healing - Believed to support the heart, lungs, and nervous system, green tourmaline aids in treating heart disease, respiratory conditions, and neurological disorders. It is considered a powerful detoxifier as well, purifying the body of toxins and pollutants. 
• Chakra healing - Green tourmaline resonates strongly with the heart chakra, helping to clear blockages and bring it into balance. This allows for improved emotional awareness, empathy, and unconditional love.
• Purifying and detoxifying - With its ability to absorb negative energies, green tourmaline is regarded as a premier cleansing and purification stone. It is especially useful for removing anger, jealousy, and destructive thoughts or behaviors. Green tourmaline protects against environmental pollutants and electromagnetic smog as well.

Everyday Uses

Green tourmaline is a versatile stone that can be incorporated into daily life in many creative ways:

• Wearing green tourmaline jewelry, particularly near the heart, is an excellent way to activate the heart chakra and promote love, compassion and emotional healing. The vibrant energy from the stone emanates through the skin to envelop your auric field. 
• Place a green tourmaline specimen on your nightstand or work desk to instill feelings of calm, compassion and creativity. Catching glimpses of its verdant tones throughout the day connects you to its gentle yet powerful energy.
• Hold a tumbled or polished green tourmaline in your hands during meditation to amplify your intentions. Feel its soothing vibrations radiate through your body and allow any negative thoughts or anxiety to wash away. 
• Carry a small green tourmaline in your pocket to relieve feelings of anxiety and bring forth gentle waves of loving energy in stressful situations. Touch the stone whenever you need extra support or grounding.

Protection and Cleansing

Green tourmaline is known for its protective qualities, shielding the wearer from negative energies and electromagnetic radiation from computers and cell phones. Regular cleansing will help keep its vibrations clear and strong. Here are some recommendations:

• To remove accumulated negative energies, soak the stone overnight in a bowl of sea salt dissolved in water. Rinse it off in the morning.
• You can also cleanse green tourmaline by exposing it to the smoke of burning sage. Pass the stone through the smoke several times to purify it.
• After cleansing, recharging your green tourmaline in sunlight or in contact with a crystal cluster will help restore its vibrational energies. Place it in a sunny window or set it among quartz, amethyst or citrine crystals for a few hours.
• Wear or carry your charged green tourmaline with you as a protective amulet. Keeping it close will reinforce your personal energy field and shield you from harsh environmental energies.
• Cleanse your green tourmaline weekly if worn frequently. Monthly cleansing is fine for occasional use. Energetically cleansing it whenever you sense negative vibes is also recommended.

Buying and Caring for Green Tourmaline

Green tourmaline is a popular gemstone that has been treasured for centuries. However, there are a few important factors to keep in mind when buying and caring for this beautiful stone.

Identify fake or treated stones

Since natural green tourmaline is rare and valuable, there is a market for treated and synthetic stones. Always buy from a reputable seller. Indicators of a treated or fake stone include:

• Unnaturally vivid green color
• No visible inclusions under magnification  
• Flashing specks on the surface 
• Low prices or weights that seem too good to be true

Best settings for jewelry

The most protective and durable settings for green tourmaline jewelry include:

• Bezel settings - A metal rim holds the stone in place
• Prong settings - Metal claws hold the stone securely
• Channel settings - The stone is embedded in a metal channel
• Cluster settings - Surrounded by other stones for protection

Avoid fragile wire-wrapped or tension settings prone to damage.

Proper storage and handling

To keep your green tourmaline looking its best:

• Store pieces separately to prevent scratching
• Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, acid, or ammonia
• Remove jewelry before physical activities 
• Clean with mild soap, warm water, and a soft brush
• Avoid sudden temperature changes which can cause fractures
• Store in a fabric-lined box away from other gems

With proper care, your green tourmaline jewelry will remain an enduring treasure. Follow these tips to protect its appearance and energy for many years to come.

Green Tourmaline vs Emerald

While green tourmaline and emerald belong to different mineral families, they share some similar properties that can make it difficult to tell them apart. However, there are also key differences between the two stones.

• Green tourmaline often has a deeper, forest green color compared to emerald's signature vibrant green hue. Emerald also frequently contains visible inclusions and opaqueness, whereas tourmaline is typically rather clean.
• In terms of hardness, emerald ranks higher at 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, compared to tourmaline which is 7. This makes emerald a more durable stone for jewelry. However, tourmaline is less likely to chip or fracture.
• Emerald has a spiritual meaning tied to wisdom, growth, and patience. Tourmaline is associated with grounding energy and finding balance. Both are considered heart chakra healing stones.  
• The rarity and demand for fine quality emerald means it commands a much higher price per carat. Even lower clarity emerald is far more expensive than similar quality green tourmaline.
• For jewelry purposes, emerald suits special occasion pieces and substantial designs. The relatively affordable tourmaline works well for daily wear and more delicate items.
• Tourmaline's diversity of green shades and clarity makes it a versatile stone. Emerald has a pure vivid green that has become synonymous with the gem itself.

The choice between the two comes down to budget, intended use, and personal preference of green tones. For many, tourmaline offers an appealing and more accessible alternative to prized emerald.

Notable Deposits

Green tourmaline is found in mineral deposits around the world. Some of the most significant source locations include:

• Brazil - The Brazilian states of Minas Gerais and Bahia are well-known for producing fine green tourmaline crystals. The lush green hues are highly prized.
• Africa - Significant deposits have been found in Tanzania, Nigeria, and Mozambique. African tourmaline tends to have a deeper forest green color. 
• Afghanistan - The Panjshir Valley in Afghanistan was once a top source of emerald-green tourmaline before mining activities were disrupted. 
• United States - Notable occurrences of green tourmaline are found in Maine and California. The Maine tourmaline has a distinctive blue-green color.
• Russia - The Ural Mountains of Russia offer bright minty green tourmaline crystals known for their clarity.

The best quality green tourmaline exhibits a vivid green color and high clarity. While found globally, the finest collector-grade crystals tend to originate from Brazil and Africa. Both regions have produced tourmalines with intense saturation and valued emerald hues.

Interesting Facts

• Tourmaline is the birthstone for the zodiac sign of Libra. Its rainbow of colors provides balance and harmony.
• Famous wearers of tourmaline include Empress Josephine and Elizabeth Taylor. They were drawn to the stone's mystical allure.
• Unique formations like watermelon tourmaline display multiple colors in one crystal. The pink core and green rind resemble the fruit.
• The high price paid at auction for a fine tourmaline reflects the stone's scarcity. Top museum-quality pieces can fetch over $10,000 per carat. 
• Etched tourmaline crystals were used to indicate direction in ancient times, due to their magnetic response when heated.
• Deposits of fine tourmaline are found in Brazil, Mozambique, Nigeria, Australia, and Maine in the United States.
• Tourmaline gets its name from the Singhalese phrase "tura mali" which means "stone of mixed colors."
• Ancient Egyptian priests used colored tourmaline rods to conduct energy during rituals. The stone's pyroelectric effect helped intensify their magic.
• Tourmaline crystals can become electrically charged through pressure and grow warm or attract ash when heated - a phenomenon known as pyroelectricity.

Conclusion

In summary, green tourmaline is a remarkable healing stone with a wide array of benefits. Its soothing green color resonates with the heart chakra, promoting emotional healing, compassion, and unconditional love. The stone has long been prized for its potent cleansing and protective energies, helping to dispel negative emotions, clear blockages, and shield against environmental pollutants. 

With its high vibrational frequency, green tourmaline is an excellent manifestation tool that can transform thoughts into reality. Meditating with the stone is said to boost creativity, abundance, and vitality. Wearing or carrying green tourmaline can bring about feelings of joy, wisdom, inspiration and spiritual growth.

For those seeking alignment with their life's purpose, green tourmaline provides clarity and focus. Its stabilizing energy brings patience, empathy and inner peace. There is great power in working with the 'stone of spirit' to access higher states of consciousness and connect to one's authentic self.