tourmaline, n. [F. tourmaline, cf. It. turmalina, tormalina, NL. turmalina, turmalinus; all fr. tournamal, a name given to this stone in Ceylon.].

A mineral occurring usually in three-sided or six-sided prisms terminated by rhombohedral or scalenohedral planes. Black tourmaline (schorl) is the most common variety, but there are also other varieties, as the blue (indicolite), red (rubellite), also green, brown, and white. The red and green varieties when transparent are valued as jewels. [1913 Webster]

" Crystals of tourmaline when heated exhibit electric polarity (see Pyroelectric, n.). Tourmaline is also used in the form of a polariscope called tourmaline tongs." [1913 Webster]

top

OXFORD DICTIONARY

tourmaline, n. a boron aluminium silicate mineral of various colours, possessing unusual electrical properties, and used in electrical and optical instruments and as a gemstone.

Etymology

F f. Sinh. toramalli porcelain

top

ROGET THESAURUS

tourmaline

Jewelry

N jewel, jewelry, jewellery, bijoutry, bijou, bijouterie, trinket, fine jewelry, costume jewelry, junk jewelry, gem, gemstone, precious stone, necklace, bracelet, anklet, earring, locket, pendant, charm bracelet, ring, pinky ring, carcanet, chain, chatelaine, broach, pin, lapel pin, torque, diamond, brilliant, rock, beryl, emerald, chalcedony, agate, heliotrope, girasol, girasole, onyx, plasma, sard, sardonyx, garnet, lapis lazuli, opal, peridot, tourmaline, chrysolite, sapphire, ruby, synthetic ruby, spinel, spinelle, balais, oriental, oriental topaz, turquois, turquoise, zircon, cubic zirconia, jacinth, hyacinth, carbuncle, amethyst, alexandrite, cat's eye, bloodstone, hematite, jasper, moonstone, sunstone, pearl, cultured pearl, fresh-water pearl, mother of pearl, coral, jeweler, gemologist, minerologist, lapidary, lapidarian, gemology, gemmology, minerology, bejeweled, diamond, (gemstones), gemological.

For further exploring for "tourmaline" in Webster Dictionary Online