Color is the key to tourmalines polularity.
Neon-colored Paraibas and saturated reds, yellows, pinks, and blues from Afghanistan and Nigeria are generating high demand for a once thought common gem. Trade names are also used, like watermelon tourmaline, refering to the red core gem with a green outer edge. Electric is no metaphor, tourmaline is piezoelectric, meaning it can generate static elctricity when rubbed or heated. It can create static electricity strong enough to attract ashes or dust. Tourmaline have been found in Sri Lanka, the Soviet Union, Burma, Califfornia and Maine in the United States, Tanzania, Nigeria, Namibia, Zambia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Madagascar.