BLACK TOURMALINE.
Spiritual Bodyguard
Black Tourmaline is your talisman of protection. Need to raise your shields? Black Tourmalines’ got your back. By creating an energy force field Black Tourmaline wards you against negative vibes, assholes, and energy vampires. It is great for calming the mind so you can get to work clarifying your thoughts and focusing on your purpose.
To ward your home place a piece of Black Tourmaline near the front door or pop it a piece on your desk to keep problems off your desk. Black Tourmaline is believed to absorb electromagnetic radiation so strategically placing a piece near a computer, cell phone charger, or TV, can help to purify and calm the energy in your space.
Black Tourmaline is an iron-rich semi-precious gemstone which is sometimes referred to as Schorl. The name Schorl was given to it in medieval times after it was found in a tin mine near the village of Schorl (now called Zschorlau), Germany, around 1400. Black Tourmaline is formed in long prismatic, triangular-shaped columns and you can often see the striations along its length. It can also grow together with Quartz in a matrix such as Tourmilinated Quartz with its radiating needles of Black Tourmaline. The majority of Black Tourmaline comes from Brazil but it is also found in Germany, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Madagascar, Namibia, Sri Lanka, Africa and the USA.
Tourmilinated Quartz. Qing Dynasty, Quartz and Black Tourmaline Snuff Bottle, Est. 1730-1850
© The Trustees of the British Museum
Buyer’s Guide to Black Tourmaline
Private Buyers
When you are buying a cabinet specimen of Black Tourmaline I would recommend choosing a Brazillian high-grade, dense, shiny surfaced column with a pyramid-shaped termination.
Black Tourmaline with pyramidal termination, recovered 2021, Mt. Karibib, Erongo Region, Namibia.
If you are buying Black Tourmaline to protect the energy of your home then a lower-grade more flaky piece of Black Tourmaline means you can go up considerably in size to a decent chonky chonk. It often grows with silvery Mica which can give it cool flashes. Be aware this type of Black Tourmaline will break along its long striations so don’t be heartbroken by a little bit of breakage. This type is not suitable for people with OCD as you will forever be cleaning up after your Black Tourmalines’ dandruff.
Raw Black Tourmaline of a type that will flake, Brazil
For daily protection, a pocket-sized tumbled Black Tourmaline is a winner. This can be popped in your pocket or bra for everyday protection or on an office desk to ward off assholes. You can also choose to wear Black Tourmaline in a piece of jewellery to create the same kind of talisman for protection. Black Tourmaline will break if dropped so always check tumbles for chips.
My everyday wear is this Black Tourmaline protection bracelet from the brand Tiger Frame. Link to product >>
If you are feeling boujee then a carved tower, sphere, palm stone etc of Tourmliniated Quartz is always stunning. The polished surface shows the radiating Black Tourmaline needles off brilliantly. The clearer the Quartz matrix the more expensive it will be. You can also find interesting raw Milky/White Quartz specimens with Black Tourmaline in its matrix, which looks very cool if you are more of an au natural collector.
Retail Buyers
If you are buying wholesale Black Tourmaline your best bet is to get it directly from Brazil or a trusted local importer. Ask for clean “points” (the pyramid terminations) and get as high a grade as you can afford. This type of terminated Black Tourmalines is always a best seller. If you carry the lower grade, crumbly Black Tourmaline be prepared for some breakage (in a retail shop and with online shipping) and this can cost time in customer service explaining why this is happening to upset clients. Ask for any wholesale bags of tumbles to be carefully packed with extra bubble wrap as hard knocks can shatter them and I have often seen a whole bag destroyed during shipping.
Quick Guide | Black Tourmaline
Zodiac: Black Tourmaline is associated with the zodiac sign Libra.
Ruling Planet: The ruling planet for Black Tourmaline is Earth.
Chakra: Black Tourmaline is associated with the Root (Muladhara) Chakra.
Element: Black Tourmaline is aligned with the element Earth.
Crystal Charging: Black Tourmaline can be charged overnight under a full moon or in a freshwater stream.
Crystal Elixir: Black Tourmaline can be used to make a crystal elixir. It is a stone of protection with very grounding energy. Try to use pre-cleaned Black Tourmaline and tumbled/polished stones where possible. Raw Black Tourmaline can be flaky and it would be best not to drink chipped-off particles.
Crystal Care: Black Tourmaline is crystalline boron silicate so you can wash it in warm soapy water. You can also use a soft cloth, make-up brush, or air duster but be aware that the flaky specimens will lose some pieces during any cleaning process.
The chemical formula for Black Tourmaline: NaFe₃Al₆Si₆O₁₈(BO₃)₃(OH)₄