Do I Need Black Tourmaline? Meaning and Healing Properties
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Black tourmaline is a type of tourmaline prized for its grounding and protective properties. In crystal healing, it’s believed to help clear negative energy and promote feelings of peace and calm.
Black tourmaline is also associated with the root chakra, which is associated with our connection to the earth and our sense of stability. This powerful crystal is often used for its ability to help individuals overcome challenges and find strength and courage within themselves. It’s also a popular stone for jewelry due to its stunning appearance and durability.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at black tourmaline, including its history, symbolism, and healing properties.
What is Black Tourmaline?
Black tourmaline, also known as schor, dark elbaite, and aphrizitel, is characterized by its deep black color. Tourmaline is a group of minerals that come in a wide range of colors, and black tourmaline is one of the most common and popular types. It’s often used in crystal healing and is believed to help clear negative energy while promoting feelings of peace and calm.
Black tourmaline is a mineral that’s formed through the process of crystallization. It’s created when molten rock (magma) cools and solidifies, and the resulting minerals crystallize into their characteristic shapes and structures.
Tourmaline is a complex silicate mineral made up of various elements, including aluminum, boron, and silicon. Black tourmaline is formed when these elements combine and crystallize in a specific way, resulting in the deep black color of the mineral. It’s often found in igneous and metamorphic rocks, as well as in alluvial deposits and certain types of sedimentary rocks.
This mineral is relatively hard, with a Mohs hardness of 7 to 7.5. The Mohs scale is a measure of the relative hardness of minerals, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest.
Black tourmaline falls in the middle of the scale, making it harder than many other minerals but still somewhat soft compared to some other gemstones such as diamonds, for example, which have a Mohs hardness of 10. This means that the stone is still durable enough to be used in jewelry, but it may be prone to scratching and chipping if not handled carefully.
This jet-colored crystal also has a clarity range between semi-translucent and totally opaque with a vitreous or resinous luster. It has a refractive index rating of 1.635 to 1.672 and a typical specific gravity of 3.060.
Do You Need Black Tourmaline?
In crystal healing, black tourmaline is an ideal choice for anyone who may be feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed. It’s associated with the root chakra, which is associated with our connection to the earth and our sense of stability. This means it may be particularly beneficial for people who are feeling disconnected or unbalanced.
Additionally, black tourmaline can be a helpful tool for anyone who is facing difficulties or seeking to make positive changes in their life.
Black Tourmaline Healing Properties
Black tourmaline is a powerful crystal that’s revered for its healing properties. This crystal is often used to help individuals overcome challenges and find strength and courage within themselves. Its healing properties make black tourmaline a popular choice for those seeking to improve their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
One of this stone’s more physical and visible properties is its piezoelectric ability to emit, transmit, and absorb magnetism. It reacts to external changes in pressure, light intensity, and temperature, converting these into a signal or receiver.
In other ways, it increases physical vitality, emotional stability, and intellectual acuity while also maintaining a healthy balance of spirituality. It can even provide deeper insight into doom-and-gloom situations.
Black Tourmaline Healing Properties: Physical
Black tourmaline is believed to have a range of physical healing properties. Some people use it to help alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation. It’s also said to be helpful for strengthening the immune system, balancing the metabolism, and aiding in digestion.
This stone is also thought to have detoxifying properties and may be used to help purify the body of toxins and pollutants. In addition, it’s believed to be helpful for improving sleep and reducing the effects of stress on the body.
Black Tourmaline Healing Properties: Emotional
In crystal healing, black tourmaline is often used to help clear negative thoughts and promote a sense of peace and calm. It’s also thought to be helpful for reducing stress, improving focus and concentration, and promoting a positive outlook. This mineral is also particularly helpful for those who are feeling overwhelmed or dealing with negative emotions.
Black Tourmaline Healing Properties: Spiritual
Black tourmaline is believed to help ground and protect the wearer’s energy while promoting a sense of connection to the earth and the present moment. It’s also said to be helpful for encouraging a positive outlook.
This crystal is often used as a tool for personal growth and transformation and is said to help individuals overcome challenges, as well as to find strength and courage within themselves. It’s also believed to be helpful for purifying the aura and promoting spiritual balance.
Black Tourmaline and the Root Chakra
Black tourmaline is typically associated with the root chakra. The chakras are energy centers in the body that are believed to play a role in our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The root chakra, also known as the muladhara chakra, is located at the base of the spine and is associated with our connection to the earth and our sense of stability.
It’s thought to be related to issues of survival, security, and our basic needs. Black tourmaline is also said to be particularly helpful for balancing and grounding the root chakra and may be used to help promote feelings of stability and security.
Symbolism of Black Tourmaline
Black tourmaline symbolizes strength, courage, and the ability to overcome challenges. It’s also said to symbolize protection, grounding, and a connection to the earth.
As mentioned earlier, it’s a crystal that can help clear negative energy, promoting peace and calm, making it a symbol of purification and transformation.
The connection to the earth and the grounding energy of the root chakra also make black tourmaline a symbol of stability and security.
How to Use Black Tourmaline
Black tourmaline is a popular choice for jewelry and decorative items due to its hardness and beautiful appearance. In addition to its visual appeal, this stone is also highly coveted for its various healing properties.
It’s a meaningful and desirable choice for people interested in crystal healing or who simply appreciate the beauty and symbolism of crystals.
Black Tourmaline in Jewelry
This mineral is highly popular for jewelry because of its attractive black color and its ability to be polished to a high shine. It’s often used in the form of beads or tumbled stones for bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. It is also sometimes used as a decorative element in other types of jewelry, such as rings or pendants.
Black Tourmaline as a Decorative Element
Black tourmaline can be used as a decorative element in a variety of ways. It’s a durable and hard stone, which makes it suitable for use in decorative items that will be handled or displayed. Due to this reason, it’s often incorporated into decorative objects such as figurines or candle holders.
Black tourmaline can also be used to make decorative boxes or other small containers. It can be shaped into various forms, such as spheres or pyramids, and displayed on a shelf or table as a decorative piece.
Black Tourmaline in Crystal Therapy
There are many ways to use black tourmaline in crystal therapy. Some common methods include:
- Wearing black tourmaline jewelry: Wearing black tourmaline jewelry, such as a necklace or bracelet, can help keep the stone close to your body and allow its energies to work on you throughout the day.
- Placing black tourmaline in your environment: You can place black tourmaline in your home or workspace to help purify and protect the energy in those spaces.
- Holding or carrying black tourmaline: Holding or carrying black tourmaline while meditating or during times of stress can help to ground and calm your energy.
- Using black tourmaline in crystal grids: Black tourmaline can be included in crystal grids for grounding and protection.
- Using black tourmaline in crystal bath: Adding black tourmaline to your bath water can help to cleanse and purify your energy.
It’s important to remember that crystal therapy should be used as a complementary treatment and is not a replacement for medical care. If you have any health concerns, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional.
How to Clean and Care for Black Tourmaline
It’s important to care for black tourmaline as it’s a powerful grounding and protective stone that can absorb negative energy. Proper care helps to maintain the effectiveness of the stone and keeps it working at its best.
In addition, black tourmaline is often used in jewelry or decorative items, and proper care can help to preserve the appearance and longevity of the stone. By regularly cleansing, charging it, handling it gently, and storing it properly, you can ensure that your black tourmaline stays in good condition and continues to provide the benefits that you desire.
Here are some tips for cleaning and caring for black tourmaline:
- Cleanse the stone regularly: Black tourmaline can absorb negative energy, so it’s important to cleanse it regularly to maintain its effectiveness. You can cleanse the stone by placing it under running water, burying it in the earth, or smudging it with sage.
- Store black tourmaline properly: Black tourmaline should be stored in a safe and protected place when not in use. It’s best to keep it away from other crystals to prevent them from absorbing any negative energy that the black tourmaline has absorbed.
- Handle black tourmaline gently: Black tourmaline is a durable stone, but it can still be prone to chipping or scratching if it’s handled roughly. Take care to handle the stone gently and avoid exposing it to harsh or abrasive environments.
- Avoid using harsh cleaning agents: Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials to clean black tourmaline. Instead, use a soft cloth or brush to gently wipe away any dirt or grime.
- Recharge the stone periodically: Like other crystals, black tourmaline can become depleted of energy over time. To recharge the stone, place it in sunlight or moonlight for a few hours, or place it near a crystal cluster or other group of crystals.
What Gemstones Does Black Tourmaline Pair Well With?
There are several gemstones that pair well with black tourmaline to enhance its healing properties as well as to make it aesthetically pleasing. Here are some of the most common stones that are often paired with this crystal:
1. Clear quartz
Clear quartz amplifies the energy of other crystals, which can enhance the grounding and protective properties of black tourmaline.
2. Hematite
Hematite is also a grounding and protective stone, and it can help to increase the energy of black tourmaline.
3. Smokey quartz
Like black tourmaline, smokey quartz is a grounding and protective stone that can help to neutralize negative energy. It can also help to elevate the mood and reduce stress, making it a good pairing with black tourmaline.
4. Amethyst
Amethyst is a calming and protective stone that can help to enhance spiritual awareness and wisdom. It can also help to purify the energy of black tourmaline.
5. Moonstone
Moonstone is a calming and intuitive stone that can help to balance the energy of black tourmaline. When paired together, black tourmaline can help to ground and protect the energy of the wearer, while moonstones can help to balance and calm the energy. This combination can be particularly useful for people who are feeling overwhelmed or anxious, as it can help to ground and stabilize the energy while also promoting feelings of calm and balance.
Where Is Black Tourmaline Found?
Black tourmaline primarily comes from areas where granite and granite pegmatites are common. Additionally, you can find it in high-temperature hydrothermal veins, some metamorphic rock structures, and areas with massive past volcanic activity.
Black tourmaline can also be found in several other types of rock formations, including mica schists, and gneisses as well as in alluvial deposits, which are areas where the stone has been transported and deposited by water.
Black tourmaline can be found in a variety of locations around the world. Some of the countries where it’s most found include Brazil, Afghanistan, and the United States (specifically, California, Maine, and New York).
Black tourmaline can also be found in a number of different ways, including through rockhounding (the hobby of searching for rocks, minerals, and fossils in their natural environment), prospecting (the search for valuable minerals), and mining. It can also be purchased from rock and mineral dealers, or online from retailers that specialize in crystals and gemstones.
History and Lore of Black Tourmaline
Because people have misidentified black tourmaline throughout the centuries, its history is somewhat elusive. However, we do know it has ancient use since Theophrastus, a philosopher, called it lyngurion over 2,300 years ago. According to Theophrastus, heating the stone attracted small pieces of wood, straw, and ash, revealing its piezoelectric qualities.
Black tourmaline has been used for centuries for its grounding and protective properties. It was highly prized by the ancient Egyptians, who used it in amulets to protect against negativity and to promote vitality. The ancient Chinese also valued black tourmaline for its ability to provide protection and stimulate the mind.
In more recent history, black tourmaline has been used in a variety of settings, including in jewelry, as a decorative element, and in crystal healing. It continues to be highly regarded for its grounding and purifying properties.
Italian & Dutch Discoveries
The discovery of this stone in Italy occurred in the late 1600s/early 1700s by Dutch traders of the Dutch East Indian Trading Company. Since they controlled the coastlines of Sri Lanka for over 140 years, they were well aware of what the people there termed it, “turmali.” This means “gem pebbles” or “stone with mixed colors.”
Other Cultural Values
Many cultures all over the world value this stone for its amazing properties. Native Americans held it in high regard as well as people in China and Europe for its value in jewelry. Europeans would give a piece to crying children in an effort to calm and relax them.
Submarine & War Applications
Historically, this mineral was used to measure submarine pressure, and to make water fluid via its ability to generate negative ions, and other industrial applications. Some companies manufacture pressure gauges with it for marine instruments and war equipment. They even used black tourmaline in the pressure sensor for the first atomic bomb.
Frequently Asked Questions about Black Tourmaline
Several crystals appear just like black tourmaline, but there are some marked differences between them to help you identify the disparities. For instance, people often confuse Elbaite for black tourmaline. But this will never be fully opaque as black tourmaline will be.
Because of how it changes the temperature when placed inside a magnetic field. When you heat it up, nearby flammable debris will attach itself to the stone and burn up.
While black tourmaline isn’t an official birthstone, most people associate it with those born in December, January, September, and October.
Many people link black tourmaline with the sign of Capricorn. However, other indications point to it belonging to Libra.
Black tourmaline is a grounding and protective stone that’s believed to help purify and cleanse the aura, and to promote spiritual growth and understanding.
Wrapping Up
Black tourmaline is an interesting and unique stone with a curious history. There’s a lot that remains unknown about this stone because of how it has been misidentified in the past.
One of the highlights of this stone is pairing it with a plethora of other crystals to enhance the power of all stones. It’s valued for its ability to purify and cleanse the aura and promote spiritual growth and understanding.
