POLISHED SCHORL (BLACK TOURMALINE)

Schorl is the common black form of tourmaline that often occurs as lustrous prismatic crystals. While some forms of tourmaline may include black colorations, schorl is exclusively black. It is never transparent or even translucent.

Schorl crystals can be stubby or elongated and typically feature striations that run along their lengths. Many schorl crystals have flattened pyramidal terminations. They can also form in radiating, columnar, and stalactitic aggregations, as well as small needle-like inclusions within quartz (tourmalinated quartz) and in massive form.

Schorl is very popular among mineral collectors, and its luster makes it one of the most aesthetic black minerals available.