Black Tourmaline

Tourmaline is a crystalline boron-silicate-material containing elements of aluminum, lithium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and iron. The name of this elegant gem comes from the word turmali, which was used in Sri Lanka to describe zircon. Due to a mistake, tourmalines were sent in a box marked for zircons, and the new name stuck - and was widely accepted. We now know - and love - this glossy black stone by the name of black tourmaline.

What is Black Tourmaline?

Tourmaline occurs in several color varieties, e.g., watermelon tourmaline; but here, we will focus specifically on black tourmaline, which is sometimes called Schorl.

Black tourmaline is very similar in appearance to carbon; in fact, someone without in-depth knowledge about minerals might actually confuse the two.

One of the most important properties of this super-stone is that it is said to be able to absorb electromagnetic radiation. If you are worried about using your phone or computer too much and being exposed to the electromagnetic frequencies, you may want to try placing a piece of black tourmaline near your electronics.

Black tourmaline is usually mined in Pakistan, Africa, USA, Brazil, and Australia, although it is also found in other locations, including Madagascar.

History and Uses

In the past, tourmaline was used in amulets, to symbolize night and autumn. In various shaman tribes around the world, including America, Africa, and Australia, tourmaline was believed to have healing properties and to protect from many forms of physical danger. In Africa, it was thought to be a stone that promotes spiritual awakening.

Tourmalines were known in Mediterranean and Asian countries as well. An Egyptian legend says that tourmaline took its colors from the rainbow. Romans were said to have used tourmaline to calm them, induce sleep, and encourage relaxation. In India, a sculpture of Alexander the Great was carved from tourmaline.

Tourmaline has also been used for industrial purposes: the employees of Dutch East India Company which imported tourmaline from Sri Lanka named them “ash pullers” because they could attract and repel ash. For this reason, these stones were often used to clean Meerschaum pipes.

Some members of the New Age spiritual movement have speculated that tourmaline is an extraterrestrial material, brought to Earth to help people with the transition into the Aquarian Age. Other groups believe that tourmaline wands were created in the Andes, South America, and attract their owners in order to guide them spirituality. No matter what you believe, it's easy to see how captivating black tourmaline is the subject of fascination and myth among many.

Black tourmaline is said to be able to purify one’s energy and clear out negativity and stagnation. As a stone related to the element of water, it cleans and regenerates one's power, similarly to how obsidian is said to work.

Black tourmaline works best for the two lowest chakras, the Earth Star chakra and the Root chakra; but it has many more properties than just balancing them. It is said to protect from psychic attacks and be able to transmute negativity into positivity. It is also said to be a helpful crystal for anxiety, nervousness, and repetitive thoughts: it is said to help break the vicious cycle of fear-fueled thoughts and prevent compulsive behavior. It is also said to be excellent for those who need to take a rest, reflect on their life, and pray or meditate. It's considered to be a stone of new beginnings, and is beneficial for those who conduct academic research, travel to unknown places, and seek new things in general.

Although black tourmaline is the birthstone of Capricorn, it will be appreciated by Libras as well.

Astrological: Capricorn

Chakra: Root

Elemental: Water

Keywords

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