mineral
Black Tourmaline
Schorl (NaFe3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)4)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, deep black color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture with indistinct cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, deep black color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, and conchoidal fracture with indistinct cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Forms in pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, and metamorphic rocks like schists and gneisses through high-temperature fluid crystallization.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, metaphysical healing bracelets, and industrial applications due to its pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties.
Geological facts
Schorl accounts for about 95% of all tourmaline found in nature and was named after a village in Saxony, Germany.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its prismatic crystal habit with distinct striations and extreme dark opacity; commonly sourced from Brazil, Pakistan, and the USA.
