Mineral Guide · Trade name
Black tourmaline is the collector and trade name most often used for schorl, the common iron-rich tourmaline.
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Black tourmaline is the collector and trade name most often used for schorl, the common iron-rich tourmaline.
The reference formula is NaFe3Al6(BO3)3Si6O18(OH)4. Black Tourmaline is classified with the silicates and its crystal system is trigonal. Natural specimens can vary in composition, habit and degree of crystallinity, so the locality and observed form remain important.
Typical colours include black to blue-black. Lustre, transparency, inclusions and surface condition should be described for the individual specimen rather than inferred from the name alone.
Black Tourmaline forms in or is associated with granitic pegmatites, hydrothermal veins and metamorphic rocks. Notable collecting regions include Brazil, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Madagascar, Namibia and the United States. A precise locality is more useful than a broad country label when it is documented.
Black Tourmaline is useful in a reference collection because its appearance connects mineral chemistry with geological setting. Store specimens dry, protected from impact and clearly labelled with the confirmed material, locality and any treatment history.
Reviewed by NotOnlyRocks Editorial Team
Last reviewed: 31 August 2026
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