Black Tourmaline

Black tourmaline is the dark, iron-rich member of the tourmaline family, known to mineralogists as schorl. It is among the most recognisable stones in a crystal collection, thanks to its glossy black colour and the deep grooves running along the length of each crystal.

What it is

Tourmaline is a complex group of boron silicate minerals, and schorl is the most common species, making up a large share of all tourmaline found. It has a hardness of between 7 and 7.5 on the Mohs scale. Crystals are typically long, three-sided or rounded prisms with fine vertical striations, and they are often found embedded in granite and pegmatite. Schorl is found in many countries, including Brazil, Namibia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and parts of the United States and Europe.

Tourmaline is also pyroelectric and piezoelectric, which means a crystal can build up a small electric charge when heated or pressed. This is a real physical property, and it is sometimes cited in crystal traditions, though the charges involved are tiny.

History and culture

The name schorl is old and is said to come from a village in Saxony, Germany, where the mineral was found. The name tourmaline itself comes from a Sinhalese word, toramalli, used in Sri Lanka for coloured stones. In the eighteenth century, Dutch traders brought Sri Lankan tourmaline to Europe, where it was noticed that warming the stones made them attract and then repel ash. Dutch sellers reportedly used them to pull ash from pipes, which gave tourmaline a humorous nickname as an ash drawer. That is the origin of the pyroelectric observation.

Black tourmaline is not a traditional birthstone, but tourmaline in general is the modern list’s second October stone. See the October birthstone page.

What crystal traditions associate with it

In many crystal traditions, black tourmaline is associated with protection, grounding and keeping a space feeling secure. It is one of the stones most often placed near the entrance of a home, which echoes older folk customs of protective objects near doors and thresholds. In the chakra system it is linked with the root. These are traditions of meaning, and no stone has been shown to influence safety or events.

How people use it

Raw black tourmaline rods are commonly set on a windowsill or shelf or kept near a front door as a personal ritual for marking the boundary of a home. People also carry small tumbled pieces, or wear beads and pendants. Some place a stone beside electronic devices, but there is no evidence that it has any effect on them and the custom is best seen as a personal preference. In meditation, a few people hold a piece to focus on a sense of steadiness.

Care and safety

• Tourmaline is durable and stable in water, and a quick rinse or dusting is enough for cleaning.
• Raw crystals can be brittle along their length and snap if dropped, so handle long rods with some care.
• Broken ends can be sharp.
• Do not swallow stones or use them in drinks.

Sourcing

Tourmaline is mined across Africa, South Asia and South America, sometimes in small artisanal operations. Black tourmaline is inexpensive and plentiful, but that does not guarantee fair conditions, so ask a seller where a piece came from and how it was acquired.

A note on health. Crystals are valued for beauty, meaning and ritual. There is no scientific evidence that they treat health conditions. If you are struggling with your health or mood, please speak to a doctor.

Frequently asked questions