A Complete Guide to Caring for Your Tourmaline Beads

As a jewelry designer, you have access to a wide range of beads that can be used in your creations. Semi-precious gemstone beads come in many different forms, but few are as diverse and versatile as tourmaline. While many stones–such as emerald or garnet–are renowned and recognized for being a particular color, tourmaline comes in a huge assortment of colors. In fact, this stone is known for having the widest color range of any gemstone. It comes in light and dark shades of red, yellow, pink, brown, blue, greenish-blue, green, black and violet. It can even be bi-colored or multicolored.

Tourmaline also offers a wide range of healing properties and is prized in the metaphysical community. If you are interested in purchasing tourmaline beads to use in your jewelry creations, keep reading to discover more about this unique stone and how to care for it. 

Metaphysical Properties of Tourmaline

Tourmaline is said to hold a wide range of spiritual and healing properties. In general, it promotes happiness and inspiration while easing fear, depression and anxiety. It is also said to improve self-esteem and act as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms.

Each individual color of tourmaline has its own healing properties in addition to the general tourmaline healing properties listed above. Black tourmaline, which is the most common color, banishes negativity and acts as a powerful grounding tool. It is also used to lighten dark moods and improve emotional balance.

Blue tourmaline is associated with tranquility and peace, while red and pink tourmaline are associated with love. Green tourmaline is said to heal the physical heart and increase courage and strength. Purple tourmaline is a powerful protective stone that is all about serene energy and relaxation. It is also said to ease migraines and headaches.

Bicolored and multicolored tourmaline stones carry all of the powers of the individual colors. Some varieties, such as watermelon tourmaline, are highly sought after and carry their own meanings and properties.

Types of Tourmaline Beads

In addition to coming in several different colors, tourmaline beads are sold in a few different ways. Some are smooth or tumbled, while others are rough. Rough tourmaline tends to be more affordable than smooth varieties, but it may be more difficult to care for. Because of the striated nature of tourmaline, rough-cut stones are easier to damage than smooth ones. They show off the stone’s natural structure, though, which makes them popular among many jewelry designers. 

Caring for Tourmaline Beads

Tourmaline is considered to be fairly tough, but it is not nearly as durable as, say, diamond. It is ranked as 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, which makes its durability similar to that of quartz. Tourmaline does not fade when exposed to bright light and is not affected by chemical exposure. However, it can be damaged by high temperatures. Excessive heat can alter the color, and sudden changes in temperature may cause fracturing.

When you need to clean your tourmaline beads, it is best to use warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth. Steam and ultrasonic cleaners are not recommended. Tourmaline gems containing liquid inclusions are likely to fracture if cleaned using ultrasonic or steam cleaning systems. Tourmaline jewelry and beads should be stored separately in soft bags or compartments when not in use.

Avoid wearing your tourmaline jewelry while showering, lounging in a hot tub, washing dishes using hot water, etc. The temperature shouldn’t be hot enough to damage the stone when doing these activities, but why risk it?

Gemstone jewelry should be the last thing you put on in the morning and the first thing you take off in the evening. Hairspray, perfume and lotions can damage gemstones and fine metals, so your jewelry should go on after such products are applied. And, of course, your jewelry should be removed prior to showering, bathing or heading to bed for the evening.

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