Tourmaline's name comes from the Sinhalese word turmali , which means mixed . Occurring in more colors or combinations of colors than any other gemstone variety found in nature, this gem lives up to its name. Perhaps this is why ancient mystics believed tourmaline could encourage artistic intuition: it has the palette to express every mood.

Dark blue, blue-green and green tourmalines are occasionally heated to lighten their color. Red tourmalines, also known as rubellites, and pink varieties are often heated or irradiated to improve their colors. Heat and irradiation color enhancement of tourmalines is permanent.