Yellow Tourmaline Meaning and Properties (updated)

You may have heard of tourmaline, a crystal that comes in over a hundred different colors, but have you come across its yellow variant?

This is known as yellow tourmaline. It’s quite an interesting gem because of its diverse color spectrum. Some even have multiple colors in one stone.

Tourmalines have always been popular, but what’s so special about the yellow kind?

Well, they’re believed to ward off negative energy. Moreover, they’re linked to feelings of well-being, confidence, and joy. So, if you’re looking for a gem that makes you feel great inside and out, this is a solid pick.

In today’s guide, let’s take a gander at what yellow tourmaline can offer.

What is yellow tourmaline?

Tourmaline, also known as the “gemstone of the rainbow,” is known for its vast color spectrum. From greens, reds, blues, to cat’s eyes and even color-changing varieties, the tourmaline is truly versatile. But the pure yellow shade was missing from its palette until the start of the new millennium.

While many yellow tourmalines previously discovered had a brownish tinge, the gem world witnessed a remarkable find in Malawi, southern East Africa, in the year 2000. These tourmalines glimmered with a pure, spring-like yellow with just a faint green touch, leading to their trade name – “canary.”

What makes yellow tourmaline special is that it owes its vibrant shade to elements like iron and titanium. While its captivating range of colors goes from an intense yellow to a soft champagne gold, people have only recently started appreciating it since it’s so new.

Now, you may wonder why this stone can look different over time.  That’s because tourmaline is part of a varied mineral family. So, as it develops, it can form into big crystals.

What’s more, the composition of tourmaline can vary. They might contain different elements, which determine their hue. This includes metals and minerals like iron, lithium, and manganese, among others. Some refer to tourmaline as the “chameleon stone” due to its ability to showcase different colors, and every type of yellow tourmaline has this cool effect where it seems to change colors from different angles. This is thanks to a phenomenon called pleochroism.

Yellow tourmaline meaning

Bravery:  Yellow tourmaline is said to encourage bravery, spurring you to take charge of your life. Instead of letting negative energies pull you down, this stone transforms them, lighting up your path with positivity.

Guardian:  It’s also like a guardian, ensuring that no harmful thoughts can harm your spirit.

Gateway to harmony:  Touted as one of the most potent gems, yellow tourmaline is a gateway to harmony between the mind and body. It’s a stone that’s said to promise equilibrium.

Helps you appreciate life:  When you’re feeling overwhelmed, yellow tourmaline can act as a peaceful anchor in a stormy sea. It’s like having a wise friend by your side, helping you appreciate the bright spots in your life. Think of this gemstone as a guide to realizing your inner power and control over life events.  Having it with you reminds you of the blessings you have in your life.

Acts a shield:  It can act like a shield, potentially blocking out negativity and harmful vibes.

Yellow tourmaline properties

A subset of the tourmaline family, this gem boasts an impressive range of shades, including golden-yellow, greenish-yellow, and brownish-yellow. The stone’s hardness varies depending on its size but typically falls between 6 to 7.5 on Moh’s hardness scale.  The Moh’s hardness scale determines its scratch resistance, with higher numbers being better.

Its triclinic crystal structure awards it the fascinating properties of piezoelectricity and pyroelectricity, which means it allows it to generate electrical charges when subjected to heat or pressure.

When viewed under a magnifier, its biaxial nature becomes evident through the pronounced double refraction. Cleavage planes run in different directions, allowing gem cutters to shape them into various designs, from cabochons to faceted gems. These features, along with its captivating hue, make yellow tourmaline a sought-after stone for jewelry-making.

Where is yellow tourmaline found?

While yellow tourmaline is discovered throughout the world, Africa boasts some of the finest specimens – especially in countries like Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zambia. Aside from this, Afghanistan and Pakistan also have some notable finds.

Is yellow tourmaline rare?

Though yellow tourmaline is not the rarest form of tourmaline, its warm hues of gold and honey are much admired by jewelers and gem collectors alike. Rainbow tourmaline, which boasts multiple colors in a single crystal, holds the title of the rarest type.

Even in Malawi, finding large yellow tourmalines is a challenge. Only about 10% of the extracted gems meet the gemstone quality, and post-cutting, a staggering 95% weigh under a carat.

Even though yellow tourmalines are relatively abundant in a sense, they are still cherished for their rich tones, and these are hard to find.

Yellow tourmaline price

The price of yellow tourmaline, like other gemstones, can vary greatly based on a number of factors, which include the color, clarity, cut, weight as well as origin. Given all these factors, it’s challenging to provide a specific price range.  However, as an estimate, rare one carat pieces can retail for about $150 to $350+.

Yellow tourmaline benefits

1. Mental Clarity:  This may help improve focus and understanding.
2. Emotional Balance: This culd help in releasing negative emotions and transforming them into positive ones.
3. Stress Relief: Associated with relaxation and inner peace.
4. Mental Clarity: Said to promote clear thinking and decision making.
5. Chakra Balance: Harmonizes all seven chakras, boosting creativity and spiritual growth.

Yellow tourmaline zodiac

Known for seeking balance, this gem amplifies the Libra trait of equilibrium. It not only bolsters physical vigor but also offers mental clarity. As an air sign, Libras will find that the stone’s energy induces feelings of contentment, making life’s journey smoother and harmonious.

Caring for yellow tourmaline

Even though it’s durable, yellow tourmaline loves a refreshing rinse with natural water. Cleaning it is easy, as all you need to do is place it under flowing water, whether from a spring or a waterfall.  Anything natural is enough. While it’s robust, it’s a good idea to protect it from sudden temperature changes.

Reenergizing this stone is straightforward, too. A few minutes under flowing water followed by a thorough drying does the trick. If you feel your stone has given its all, consider returning it to nature, like releasing it into a river or the ocean.

Many believe black tourmaline, with its reputed ability to repel negativity, doesn’t require cleansing. However, it’s just as open to rejuvenation as other tourmalines and is safe for use. Keep your gems personal; the bond you form with them is unique. And if you’ve heavily relied on your yellow tourmaline, consider smudging and recharging it every week.