Raw Black Tourmaline Crystals (Schorl)
Fine-grade, raw black tourmaline from Afghanistan, a collection of mostly lustrous crystals in different sizes.
These black tourmaline crystals have been cleaned but are otherwise untouched.
They're available to buy individually or in larger quantities. These crystals were individually chosen for our collection. This painstaking process allowed me to choose some really nice pieces.
Tourmaline is a relatively hard mineral that doesn't scratch easily. It exhibits poor to no cleavage, meaning it lacks well-defined planes along which the crystal can break. This characteristic contributes to its durability.
Tourmaline breaks with a conchoidal fracture, which means it breaks with smooth, curved surfaces, similar to glass.
Black tourmaline, also known as schorl, is always black and opaque. Although other varieties of tourmaline may be black, they may not be schorl.
The term 'schorl' is believed to come from the Old German word "schürl," although its exact meaning is unknown. It's often thought to relate to 'impurities' because these often influence the colour and properties of tourmaline.
Schorl may also be connected to a village now known as Zorschlau, which has a tin mine where tourmaline is believed to have been discovered.
These fine-grade, raw black tourmaline crystals are suitable for healing and collectors.