Rock Identifier
Black Tourmaline (Schorl (NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)4)) — mineral
mineral

Black Tourmaline

Schorl (NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)4)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness of 7 to 7.5; deep black color; vitreous luster; trigonal crystal system with prismatic habit and striated faces; conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.

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Physical properties

Mohs hardness of 7 to 7.5; deep black color; vitreous luster; trigonal crystal system with prismatic habit and striated faces; conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.

Formation & geological history

Forms in pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, and metamorphic rocks like schists and gneisses through high-temperature fluid activity.

Uses & applications

Widely used in metaphysical practices, crystal healing, and as tumbled stones or mineral specimens for collectors.

Geological facts

Schorl is the most common variety of tourmaline, accounting for about 95 percent of all tourmaline in nature.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its characteristic triangular cross-section in raw crystals and strong striations along the prism length; found globally with notable deposits in Brazil, Africa, and the USA.