[Sprool (OP)]

Came across these tourmaline 'ionic balance' wriststraps on Facebook.
http://www.ionic-balance.com/technology/tourmaline.html
Can they really make these wild claims? Theres a lot of shocking bad science here. People are paying £23 for a rubber wristband with a bit of mineral in it. Power of placebo? Is there actually any real scientific study backing up this snake-oil sales pitch?

[Sprool (OP)]

"The electric current that courses through tourmaline is actually a flow of electrons originating in the sun. The sun bathes the earth in a continuous stream of negatively charged electrons, which enter the positively charged side of the tourmaline material and exit from the oppositely charged side. With this current flowing through it at all times, tourmaline is like a battery with unlimited life, one that never runs out!"
Wow, a never-ending source of energy! Why has no-one hooked them up before to power milk floats?

[CliffordK]

That website even has A page about SCAMS... At least it makes for a good laugh.

Unfortunately there are many unscrupulous companies out there that sell either counterfeit items or products that have no health benefits whatsoever.  Many have bogus claims, and usually lack any sort of scientifc evidence to back up these claims.

Ionic Balance bands are different to other silicone bracelets.

My guess is that they are taking ideas way out of context.  Perhaps the crystals are piezoelectric, or pyroelectric, but that doesn't mean that they have tremendous healing properties.  Perhaps one could build solar panels with them, but likely they would be much less efficient than current designs.

I'd encourage you to just get a nice solar cell necklace instead. 

[RD]

Came across these tourmaline 'ionic balance' wriststraps on Facebook.
http://www.ionic-balance.com/technology/tourmaline.html
Can they really make these wild claims? Theres a lot of shocking bad science here. People are paying £23 for a rubber wristband with a bit of mineral in it. Power of placebo? Is there actually any real scientific study backing up this snake-oil sales pitch?

Sounds like a variant of the "power bracelet" scam, see the Aussie News clip on youtube ,
 (if for no other reason than to get an eyeful of the pneumatic newsreader).

Those bracelets certainly don't make you look younger ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Balance#Criticisms

[RD]

The Tourmaline and Mylar ("Power balance") bracelets are virtually identical ...

[Sprool (OP)]

Thanks for the link RD
Power Balance is a brand of hologram bracelet once claimed by its manufacturers and vendors to "use holographic technology" to "resonate with and respond to the natural energy field of the body", and increase sporting ability.[1] Numerous independent studies of the device found it to be completely ineffective at improving athletic performance, and the manufacturer was forced to retract its claims in 2010.

In December 2010, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) required Power Balance to do several things, including making the following statement admitting they "engaged in misleading conduct":

"In our advertising we stated that Power Balance wristbands improved your strength, balance and flexibility. We admit that there is no credible scientific evidence that supports our claims and therefore we engaged in misleading conduct in breach of s52 of the Trade Practices Act 1974. If you feel you have been misled by our promotions, we wish to unreservedly apologize and offer a full refund."
In January 2011, a suit was filed against the company for fraud, false advertising, unfair competition and unjust enrichment.

[Mazurka]

Frankly I can't be asked to read their pseudo science claptrap...
But out of interest - does it mention which types of tourmaline they use and the different power enhancing effects of the different compositions - do you get charged more for Dravite or Elbaite or is it all boring old schorl? 

[Sprool (OP)]

i think you outgeeked them, they just mention black tourmaline 

[kkwu1992]

Mineral Family: Tourmaline
Structure: Silicate
Hardness: 7-8
Chakra: Root
Zodiac: Capricorn,Scorpio and Libra
Element: Earth
Planet: Earth
Color: Black

:heart_decoration: What Are the Benefits of Black Tourmaline?

Here are a few key benefits you stand to gain from using black tourmaline.

Powerful Warding Abilities

Black tourmaline is a powerful warding stone and can be used to negate and dispel harmful energies. This is probably one of its most well-known functions and explains why the stone is one of the most commonly used protection stones used by most natural.

It Is a Potent Grounding Stone

Black tourmaline is not a high-energy stone and can therefore be used with stones that possess fast harmonious vibrations such as rose quartz, citrine, and so on. This produces a more calming, balanced, and grounded aura during use. Simply keeping a piece of the stone around creates a peaceful environment that is great for critical thinking, meditation, and healing as well.

 I have it in a pyramid that I love to meditate with. SPAM REMOVED There are many beautiful pyramids and jewelry made from black tourmaline or other crystal.

[Origin]

Black tourmaline is a powerful warding stone and can be used to negate and dispel harmful energies. This is probably one of its most well-known functions and explains why the stone is one of the most commonly used protection stones used by most natural.

Oh, it keeps like vampires and werewolves away.  Does it also work on dementors?

[Colin2B]

Oh, it keeps like vampires and werewolves away.  Does it also work on dementors?

It certainly works on spammers, this one went very quickly 

[Bored chemist]

Is there actually any real scientific study backing up this snake-oil sales pitch?

No.

[paul cotter]

This is a science forum. Anything "magical" is not relevant to science.

[SeanB]

There is however correlation between snake oil salesdroids and people being poorer, with something worth almost as much as regular dirt in return.

[Zer0]

This is a science forum. Anything "magical" is not relevant to science.

& Obviously Magic ain't Real.

P.S. - Just out of Curiosity, what about Placebo Effects?

[alancalverd]

Brass has been used since pre-Roman times to ward off disease (it is germicidal) and to capture and enhance the natural resonances of the human breath (trumpets). It is composed of copper (whose healing properties are believed by the number of people who wear copper bracelets) and zinc, the basis of the Leclanche cell, a primary source of natural electrical energy.

A local craftsman harnesses these traditional attributes of brass with the miraculous power of the laser, using scientifically precise optics to focus kilowatts of coherent light to permanently inscribe a unique code onto a brass disc, similar to the famous and mysterious Antikythera mechanism.

Worn on an adjustable leather strap, this amazing creation has prevented all my dogs from being savaged by the hippopotami that used to roam the Cambridgeshire Fens, and even helped the police inform me if they get lost.

Normally £2, this invaluable artefact can be yours for only £10 plus postage and a monthly subscription of £5.

And it is all scientifically correct.

[Colin2B]

& Obviously Magic ain't Real.

P.S. - Just out of Curiosity, what about Placebo Effects?

It’s real, but it’s not magic.

Placebos won't lower your cholesterol or shrink a tumour, but they do work on symptoms affected by the brain eg perception of pain. They are most effective for conditions like pain management, stress-related insomnia, and side effects of cancer treatment, like fatigue and nausea.
Placebos involve chemicals the brain produces naturally eg feel-good neurotransmitters, like endorphins and dopamine, and greater activity in brain regions linked to moods, emotional reactions, and self-awareness.

[Zer0]

So if someone decides to Sell a Regular Rubber band at ten times it's Market Price, Claiming that it would help the Wearer to have a Good Sleep, then Ideally they should be able to sell it off as a Valid Medical Device?

[alancalverd]

If it is manufactured under an auditable quality assurance system, it can indeed be marketed as a Class I medical device (passive, nonsterile), and you can self-certify it. Problem is that some folk are allergic to natural rubber so you need a warning on the package.

[Bored chemist]

Just a thought...
Why are crystals always assumed to have beneficial properties?
Why isn't there a warning like " never go near Antlerite because it causes depression" or
"being near Witherite slows wound healing" or whatever?