Name: tourmaline (black variety)
Chemical Formula: Na(Mg,Fe)3Al6(BO3)3(Si6O18)(OH,F)4
Group Classification: Cyclo-silicate (ring structure); very strong, elongated / striated crystals
General Info: A complex borosilicate, tourmaline colors vary greatly but the focus of this post is on black tourmaline specifically. Can hold an electric charge in response to mechanical stress (piezoelectric) or heat (pyroelectric). Found in igneous rocks, and more commonly within metamorphic rocks. Also sometimes called schorl.
Identifying Properties:
Chemical Formula: Na(Mg,Fe)3Al6(BO3)3(Si6O18)(OH,F)4
Group Classification: Cyclo-silicate (ring structure); very strong, elongated / striated crystals
General Info: A complex borosilicate, tourmaline colors vary greatly but the focus of this post is on black tourmaline specifically. Can hold an electric charge in response to mechanical stress (piezoelectric) or heat (pyroelectric). Found in igneous rocks, and more commonly within metamorphic rocks. Also sometimes called schorl.
Identifying Properties:
- hardness 7
- black
- resinous
- opaque
- elongated with striations
- prismatic
- fracture (no cleavage)
Occurrence: Widespread. In particular, California, Maine, Brazil, Burma, Russia, and Mexico.
Typical Uses: electrical products, water treatment, abrasives, nuclear reactors, transistors, solar cells, and as an ore of boron for things like silliputty and pyrex, prevents breakage.
Metaphysical Uses:
Typical Uses: electrical products, water treatment, abrasives, nuclear reactors, transistors, solar cells, and as an ore of boron for things like silliputty and pyrex, prevents breakage.
Metaphysical Uses:
- very grounding
- transmutes scattered energy / focus
- protective shield from a wide range of energies / from electronic radiation to curses
- aids the nervous system / helps with mental disorders / especially panic disorders
- balances the two sides of the brain / creates equillibrium
- good luck
- root chakra
- Capricorn
I got a few pieces of black tourmaline for my birthday this year because I have become obsessed with it. I think it's my new favorite mineral! I've also been using Ally's HEAL Earth Oil (which has reiki charged quartz and black tourmaline crystals inside) pretty religiously. I put that shit on everything.
One of the pieces I was gifted for my birthday was from my younger sister. It was a tiny piece of tourmalated quartz that she had initially bought for herself but gave to me because I couldn't keep my hands off of it. About a week or so ago, I dropped it and it broke in two. I was ridiculously upset about that. I told her what happened and some of the things that I had read that it could mean. I landed on the idea that it meant I just needed two pieces instead of one. But then this realization hit us both at the same time. It broke because the stone was meant for both of us. It had even broke in such a way that each half ended up having one line of tourmaline in it. Just one of those weird things that happens that makes you say woahhh. This piece was also bought on the same trip that a medium approached us and told us that she and I are "the same."
One of the pieces I was gifted for my birthday was from my younger sister. It was a tiny piece of tourmalated quartz that she had initially bought for herself but gave to me because I couldn't keep my hands off of it. About a week or so ago, I dropped it and it broke in two. I was ridiculously upset about that. I told her what happened and some of the things that I had read that it could mean. I landed on the idea that it meant I just needed two pieces instead of one. But then this realization hit us both at the same time. It broke because the stone was meant for both of us. It had even broke in such a way that each half ended up having one line of tourmaline in it. Just one of those weird things that happens that makes you say woahhh. This piece was also bought on the same trip that a medium approached us and told us that she and I are "the same."
