The discovery of the K-dominant tourmaline maruyamaite with microdiamond inclusions suggested its ultrahigh-pressure formation. We analyzed the role of K in the tourmaline structure, with a special focus on its stability. High pressure is necessary to squeeze the large cation K⁺ in the stiff framework of tourmaline, although K is the underdog component if Na⁺ is present in the mineralizing fluid. K-tourmaline is stable at high pressure, overcoming the stereotype of a mere crustal component.