Tourmalin
/ˈtʊər.mə.lɪn/noun
A mineral of the tourmaline group, especially a variety occurring in complex or mixed colors.
Did you know?Tourmaline becomes electrically polarized when heated or compressed, a property called pyroelectricity and piezoelectricity that helped inspire its historical use in attracting small particles.
Etymological Timeline
Before the 18th Century
Sinhala
tōramalli / turamali
“A name associated with a multicolored gemstone; the precise original meaning is uncertain.”
Early 18th Century
Dutch
toermalijn
“The name used by Dutch traders for the gemstone imported from Sri Lanka.”
18th Century
French
tourmaline
“A borrowed name for the mineral.”
18th Century
English
tourmaline
“The standard English form for the mineral group.”
19th Century
English
tourmalin
“A variant English form referring to tourmaline.”
Modern English
English
tourmalin
“An uncommon mineralogical variant of tourmaline.”
Explore more surprising origins