CRYSTALS, GEMS AND MINERALS:
In Science, Metaphysics, History and Myth

SUGILITE

Sugilite was first discovered in Japan in 1944 and named for a famous Japanese mineralogist Kenichi Sugi; it was later found in India, although it has only been found in quantity at a manganese deposit in the Kalahari Desert near Hotazel, in Africa. Chemically, this purple gemstone is a silicate of potassium, sodium iron and lithium.
Sugilite has been marketed under several names including Lavulite, Royal Lavulite, Royal Azel, Sugalite and luvulite.

People with interests in metaphysics and "crystal healing" have credited sugilite with amazing powers, including:
Strengthens the heart.
Activates the brain hemispheres.
Aids physical healing and purification of the body systems.
Balances emotions, relieves stress.
Brings higher spiritual awareness into physical reality.
Enhances sensitivity, Excellent for meditation.

THULITE

Thulite is a fairly uncommon mineral. It is in the zoisite family, of which tanzanite is the best known gemstone. Thulite is a calcium - aluminum silicate, the pink to red color is induced by the presence of manganese in the structure.

There is not a lot of history to thulite. It was named for the place where it was first identified: Thule, Greenland. It is also found in Washington, California, Nevada, North Carolina, Norway and a few other places.

Current metaphysical beliefs of thulite include:

Excellent for meditation, Enhances the senses, and can block unwanted astral and mental influences.
A balancing element for those in a position of an employee or servant, and keeps them from over-extending themselves or falling into negative habits.

TOURMALINE

My old mineralogy professor called tourmaline a "garbage can" mineral due to its complex chemical formula- a "little bit of everything thrown in". The basic formula contains sodium, magnesium, iron, aluminum, boron, silicon, oxygen and hydrogen.
Tourmaline comes in a wide variety of colors, and these colors are often caused by other elements as impurities, or substituting for elements in the basic formula.
Black tourmaline (also called Schorl) is usually due to excess iron, but may also be caused by excess magnesium.
Brown (also called Dravite) and yellow tourmalines are usually caused by excess magnesium.
White tourmaline can occur if calcium substitutes for the sodium.
Red & pink tourmaline (Rubellite) are caused by lithium and aluminum substituting for iron and magnesium.
Blue Tourmaline (Indicolite) is probably also caused by a different amount of aluminum substituting for the iron or magnesium. This color is generally the most expensive of the tourmalines, followed by the red and pink.
Green Tourmaline (Elbaite) can be caused by varying the iron, magnesium and lithium balance, or it may be caused by chromium as an impurity.
Clear tourmaline is the "pure" form- the elements are there in just the right amounts, with no impurities. Clear tourmaline is very rare, but not as expensive as the blue or red, because it is not really attractive as a gemstone, although it is a mineralogical curiosity.
Watermelon tourmaline is green tourmaline with a red or pink core.
Most of the tourmalines that you are likely to see as cut gemstones or as crystals come from Brazil, although very nice tourmalines have been found in Madagascar, Mozambique, and Namibia in Africa, as well as Western Australia, The Ural mountains of Russia, & Baja, Mexico. In the U.S. gem quality tourmalines have been found in Maine. The Pala and Ramona districts in San Diego & Riverside counties of California have been major producers of gem and specimen tourmalines for over a hundred years.
Tourmaline was not really recognized as a distinct mineral species until a couple of hundred years ago. Prior to about 1768, tourmalines were mistakenly classified with other gemstones like emerald, ruby, sapphire etc.

There are numerous claims for metaphysical powers of tourmaline. A few of them are:

Aids Sleep.
Strengthens body & mind.
Enhances sensitivity and understanding.
Powerful healer.
Tourmaline in general is a very good stone for protective amulets, with green, brown and black the best for this purpose. Combining tourmaline crystals with other stones will give protection in a variety of specific cases.

TURQUOISE

Also spelled Turquois, it is one of the oldest materials used as a gemstone by man. The word turquoise is probably derived from the French for "Turkish stone," because much of turquoise that came to Europe in the early days came through Turkey, primarily from mines in Egypt and Persia (Iran).

The oldest known turquoise mines are in the Sinai Peninsula, between present day Egypt & Israel. They were worked as early as 5500 B.C. In the U.S., Turquoise was mined as early as about 700 A.D. and possibly much earlier.

Some of the ancient lore of turquoise includes: It will insure health, happiness and success. (Asia, North America) It will prevent injury due to accidents. (Asia, Middle East, Europe, North America) It cures all diseases of "the head and heart". (Persia, Arabia) It will cure cataracts. (Egypt) A piece of turquoise thrown into a river will bring rain. (Navajo) Turquoise set into the door opening to a dwelling will prevent evil spirits from entering. (North America, Asia)

Chemically, turquoise is a phosphate of copper and aluminum. Iron can substitute somewhat for aluminum. When this occurs, the turquoise will take on a greenish tint. Generally, the more iron, the deeper the green color.

The ancient mines in the Middle East are pretty much played out. Today, the major source of turquoise is the United States, with China in second place. Also found in Afghanistan, Australia, Chile, Mexico, Peru and Tibet, Most of the turquoise in the U.S. comes from Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico, with some production from other western states.

Turquoise is usually found near the surface, in very arid land. Often associated with other copper minerals, it occurs in thin veins, nuggets and small grains.

Modern metaphysical belief about turquoise includes:
It tones and strengthens the entire body.
It helps in regeneration of tissue, improves the circulation and revitalizes the blood.
It gives peace of mind, provides emotional balance and enhances meditation.
It aids in creative expression, enhances communication and friendship.
Called by some "The master healer" it is supposed to be beneficial for just about any physical problem.
The birthstone for December, and the Zodiacal stone for Sagittarius, Turquoise has one of the longest and most interesting histories of the gemstones. Some sources indicate that it is the 11th stone in the Breastplate of Aaron.