Tourmaline vs Emerald: What Are They, And What's The Difference?

The confusion between tourmaline and emerald is warranted.

These are two beautiful green stones that have very similar properties and uses, in both the gemstone market and the metaphysical world.

Learn more about the differences and the confusion regarding tourmaline and emerald here.

Tourmaline vs Emerald: The Basics Of What You Need To Know

What is Tourmaline?

Tourmaline is a stone that comes from minerals that share crystal formation and physical composition.

This stone is classified as both metamorphic and igneous rock that forms and also breaks when water in the Earth is heated.

This stone is green in color, but it can come in a variety of different shades, including black, orange, yellow, pink, and even red.

Tourmaline is found in a number of locations all across the world, including Afghanistan, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, the United States, and Pakistan.

On the Mohs hardness scale, tourmaline has a hardness level of 7.7, which is considered very hard.

The hardness of diamonds for example is 10, and diamonds are considered the hardest rock in the world.

It is used for a variety of purposes, but most commonly used as a gemstone for healing, or a gemstone for décor and personal adornment.

It is also used in a number of industrial applications such as in the development of air purifiers and pressure gauges.

Uses of Tourmaline

Tourmaline is used for a variety of purposes.

For industrial purposes, it is used for a number of things, from pyroelectricity to infrared lighting materials.

It is also used in a number of thermoelectric applications.

Tourmaline is also used as a gem.

It is commonly used in jewelry in a variety of forms including bracelets, earrings, beads, and pendants. Tourmalines come in a variety of colors, all of which are used in jewelry.

For spiritual healing, tourmaline offers a number of metaphysical properties and uses, with many people believing it has physical healing properties.

Metaphysical Uses of Tourmaline

Many proponents of New Age or spiritual healing find tourmaline to be among the best stones for a practice known as crystal healing.

A common use of tourmaline is in the practice of feng shui.

In feng shui, in homes all over the world, tourmaline is used in the doorways and bedrooms of homes to dispel unwanted energy.

For this purpose, tourmaline is called the “mouth of qi” as it is said to open up doors and opportunities.

If negative people enter, or try to, tourmaline is believed to have powers that will dispel them or cast them away.

It is considered to be a protective stone, that prevents unwanted people from leaving negative energy in your home when it is used for Feng Shui purposes.

Tourmaline is also used for a number of wellness healing practices from a metaphysical perspective.

It is reported to have helped with happiness, peace, balance, healing, strength, and emotional qualities such as understanding and tolerance of negative energies.

As it is said to help with emotional balances, it will also help with the improvement of self-confidence and reducing fear in the people that wear it or keep it in their homes.

Tourmaline is also considered by many to attract compassion and even creativity and inspiration.

As it is often the color of the heart chakra which nurtures unconditional love, it might with feelings dealing with the heart.

What is Emerald?

Emeralds are a stone that have been used in the world for centuries.

The name emerald comes from the word esmeraude, from the Old French, and emeraude from the Middle English.

Emeralds a stone that is graded on cut and clarity, in addition to hardness.

On the Mohs hardness scale, emerald has a hardness of 7.5.

They are most commonly found in Africa, the United States, Asia, and South America.

Emeralds have been in use as personal adornment for thousands of years, and this is their primary use.

They can be used as decoration as well, but don’t often have industrial or market applications beyond jewelry or metaphysical healing.

Along with ruby and sapphire, emeralds are considered in the “big three” of gemstones.

The big three of gemstones refers to market value, with the big three stones generating more economic value into a country than all other gemstones.

The United States currently holds the greatest market for emeralds, with the value of emeralds in the United States exceeding that of the other two stones combined.

As a precious stone, emeralds serve as the birthstone for May.

Even with a high value, emeralds are also commonly used in the metaphysical world for healing.

Metaphysical Uses of Emerald

Many believe the metaphysical uses of emerald can be connected to the heart chakra.

The heart chakra is embodied by the color green, and is meant to help with the sending and receiving of unconditional love.

When the heart chakra is healthy, the person is said to feel love and joy, cleansing, peace and serenity.

Emeralds are said to promote healing in the heart chakra, and to help inspire this unconditional love.

They are said to be good to unite and promote friendship, and they keep relationships in romance balanced as well.

Another common use of emeralds for those that use them for metaphysical purposes lies in their use for wisdom and clarity.

They are commonly used for spiritual purposes to promote reasoning and intelligence.

From a physical perspective in the healing world, many believe that emeralds also treat the back, the muscles, and are said to clear the mind and improve eyesight.

Similarities and Differences Between Tourmaline and Emerald

In the comparison between tourmaline and emerald, there are some key points.

Where they are similar rests in their color and uses.

They are both a brilliant green most of the time, and are most frequently used in jewelry applications.

Where they differ primarily is in their value.

Emeralds are much more valuable in the retail market.

They use a larger labor force for mining and production, and this impacts the costs of emeralds considerably.

Both stones also have very different metaphysical uses.

People often confuse the two because tourmaline can be used as an emerald imitator.

They also both can be found in a wide variety of colors, and this confuses many buyers of stones today.

Learn More About Tourmaline and Emerald Today

In the comparison between tourmaline and emerald, it is easy to come to the conclusion that both are beautiful stones with a number of positive properties and uses.

For tourmaline and emerald, they are similar in color and uses, but their market values are very far apart.

Learn more about the contrasts between tourmaline and emerald by bringing them into your home as a gem reflecting value and the hope for prosperity.