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:
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:
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."
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Hi all! I'm pumped about this collaboration and so happy to be a part of it! Ally from Aquarian Soul is awesome, we have SO many bizarre similarities between us, yet we grew up on opposite coasts... super cool! Head on over to her blog to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a bracelet for yourself as well as one to gift to a friend!
I've been collecting garnets from creek beds since i was a little girl. My first collection of garnets is one of my most prized possessions. I used to just pick them up right off of the ground when I was little. Big thanks to the sun for doing the work for me. Nowadaze I grab my hammer and hack away at the rocks. Garnets are only found in metamorphic rocks. The Philadelphia region lies above a lot of schist, so they're everywhere around here.
Name: agate Chemical Formula: SiO2 (quartz) Group Classification: tectosilicate General Info: Quartz variety. Specifically, a type of chalcedony. Silica rich solution enters vugs (cavities in rocks) and precipitates in layers inward from the walls. Also found filling in veins of plutonic (underground, igneous) masses. Identifying Properties:
Metaphysical Uses of Agate in General:
Some Specifics: Agates are powerful allies against anxiety issues and the symptoms that arise from them. Each type of agate takes them on in its own way...
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