Black tourmaline is most well known as a protective and shielding stone that transmutes negative into positive, deflecting and dispelling negative energies. It is frequently used against electromagnetic and environmental pollutants, and used in purifying and neutralising negative thoughts and internal conflicts, and turning them into positive, usable energy. It was once known as Schorl, (before the 1400s), named after a Saxony town in Germany, where Black Tourmaline was found in nearby tin mines and has a rich ancient, cultural history across Ancient Egypt, as well as African, Native American, and Aboriginal tribes. Although other colours exist, with different properties, 95% of all Tourmaline in nature is black. Tourmaline can sometimes appear within clear quartz, creating an energetically, very powerful polarity of energies.
Black Tourmaline is used frequently for managing symptoms of mental ill health. It is stabilising to problematic fears, phobias and anxiety, and useful in breaking patterns of addictions and obsessive thought and compulsive behaviours, making it a tool for use in substance abuse treatments and cases of self-ham too. It's calming influence on anger and thoughts of unworthiness can assist within a treatment program for suicidal thoughts and help in understanding their roots.
Black Tourmaline is also a powerful grounding stone, electrical in nature, providing a connection between Earth and the human spirit. It's property of becoming electriacally charged - pyroelectricity (from heat) or piezoelectricity (from pressure or rubbing) - was used by Dutch traders in the 1700s to pull ash from their Meerschaum pipes, calling the stone Aschentrekker, or "ash puller."
Black Tourmaline stimulates the reflex points associated with the lower back, legs, ankles, and feet. It channel high-powered electrical energy capable of transcending physical laws and is therefore thought capable of producing phenomenal healing. It is used by healers to clear blockages in the aura and removes negative energy, thus defending against debilitating disease, as well as balancing the right/left hemispheres of the brain and bringing mental processes into alignment with the chakras and auric body. It is known for bringing strength, stamina and vitality to the physical body, as well as having affinity for the lungs, colon, heart and adrenal glands, supporting their general function and assisting in the healing and recovery from diseases and illnesses in those areas. This gives multiple applications for this essential tool found in most healer's crystal kits!
MOHS: 7 - 7.5
Name: from an ancient Sinhalese word turmali, meaning "a mixed colour precious stone," or turamali, meaning “something small from the earth.”
Substance: Striated pillars topped with shallow three sided terminations. Made from aluminum borosilicates mixed with iron, magnesium, or other various metals (which then produce other colours of tourmaline with their own properties)
Colour: Black
Location: Brazil, Africa, Pakistan, America
Element: Earth
Chakras: Base, Earth star
Pseudo and nick-names:
"Schorl" (in use before the 1400s, named after a Saxony town in Germany, where Black Tourmaline was found in nearby tin mines.
"Ash puller" was used by Dutch traders in the 1700s, who used Black Tourmaline's ability to become electrically charged from heat (pyroelectricity) and from pressure or rubbing (piezoelectricity) to pull ash from their Meerschaum pipes, calling the stone Aschentrekker, or "ash puller."
Interesting Facts:
- Tourmaline acts as a natural insecticide and encourages plant growth if buried in the soil.
- It can become electrically charged by rubbing or heating it, with one end becomes positive and the other negative.
- Tourmalines are highly valued as electrical tuning circuits for conducting television and radio frequencies. They are used for their durability since high frequencies can be passed through them without shattering, as many crystals do.
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An Egyptian legend says that Tourmaline made its journey from the centre of the Earth and passed over a rainbow, taking with it all of the colours as its own. The Romans used these stones for their relaxing properties of inducing tranquil sleep, calming the mind, and relaxing the body
- A statue of Alexander the Great, dating to around the second or third century B.C was carved in India from Tourmaline and it was believed to be a "teller" stone to provide insight as to who or what was causing trouble.
- Tourmaline was thought by shamans of the African, Native American, and Aboriginal tribes, to bring healing powers to the user and provide protection from all dangers occurring on the physical plane. The African shaman also used it to promote the awakening of the “dream of illusion” and to experience the self as a part of the universal spirit.
- Some new age believers think that Tourmaline has been materialised onto our planet by higher life forms to assist humans with their transition into the Aquarian Age and It is further believed that special Tourmaline wands are being created in alchemical laboratories deep in the Andes in South America, and the enlightened beings who perform this magic dematerialize these wands, transports, and then rematerializes them into mines in South America.
Historical and Traditional Folk Uses - Physical/Environmental
- detoxification
- heavy metals
- environmental pollution
- dyslexia
- motion sickness
- lustre to hair and nails
- hand-eye co-ordination
- spinal adjustments
- vitality
- immunity
- arthritis
- pain
- torn muscles
- numbness
- scar tissue
- lungs
- pneumonia
- bronchitis
- heart
- adrenal glands
- bowels
- reflex points
- constipation
- IBS
- colon
- sense of smell
- strength
- stamina
Historical and Traditional Folk Uses - Emotional/Psychological:
- stabilising
- fears
- addictions
- negativity
- disharmony
- anxiety
- anger
- unworthiness
- calming
- focus
- stress
- worry
- suicidal thoughts
- self-harm
- obsessive behaviours
- compulsions
- understanding
- self-confidence
- victim mentality
- inspiration
- compassion
- tolerance
- right-left brain balance
- paranoia
- objective neutrality
- rational thought
- stimulating altruism
- practical creativity
- panic attacks
- fear of the dark
- phobias
- independence
- spontaneous leadership
- protection
- grounding
- guarding
- shielding
- purification
- moving stubborn energy
- auric cleansing
- clearing
- transmutation
- attachments
- prosperity
- devic energy
- yin yang balance
- connection with nature
- retreat
*This information refers to the stone type in general and not any specific product made from or with it. It is based on folk lore and historical, traditional use only and does not contain scientifically proven health claims. It is for entertainment purposes only and should not be interpreted as a suggestion that the products can treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness. They are not a substitute for professional, medical advice. Always see your doctor.*
(Sources: The Book of Stones - Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian, The Crystal Bible - Judy Hall, Crystals - Lauren D'Silva)
Browse our ranges, including Ethically Sourced Black Tourmaline Healing Crystals here:
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