Turmali
/tʊərˈmɑːli/noun
An obsolete name for the gemstone now generally called tourmaline.
Did you know?The name is associated with Sri Lankan tourmalines, which became famous for producing static electricity when heated—a phenomenon historically mistaken for a kind of magical attraction.
Etymological Timeline
17th Century
Sinhala
turmali
“A name used in Sri Lanka for tourmaline or similarly colored gemstones; the deeper origin is uncertain.”
17th Century
Dutch
turmali
“A gemstone name encountered through trade and mineral collecting.”
18th Century
English
turmali
“An English historical or obsolete name for tourmaline.”
18th Century
English
tourmaline
“The later standard English form for the multicolored gemstone.”
Modern English
English
tourmaline
“A crystalline gemstone occurring in many colors and valued in jewelry.”
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