| Black gemstones can make stunning jewelry, but there | | | | Like all tourmaline, black tourmaline is quite hard (7 to |
| are actually very few gemstones that occur in black. | | | | 7.5 on the Mohs scale). It has a vitreous, slightly |
| The most common is onyx, a variety of chalcedony | | | | resinous, luster and takes a good polish. Since |
| which is dyed to produce a uniform black. Onyx is | | | | tourmaline has poor cleavage, it is a very durable |
| abundant and inexpensive, but it is not what one would | | | | gemstone as well. |
| call a fine gem. | | | | Black tourmaline is very inexpensive compared to |
| Back in the Victorian era, a black mineral called jet | | | | other tourmaline colors and can often be found in |
| was very popular, particularly for mourning jewelry. Jet | | | | much larger sizes. We have cut some black tourmaline |
| is an organic mineral composed of fossilized wood, | | | | over 70 carats. You will find it sold in spheres and |
| somewhat similar to coal. It is very light in weight, so | | | | cabochons as well as in faceted form, but the faceted |
| suitable for large pieces of jewelry. But it is also | | | | pieces display the best brilliance for jewelry. |
| extremely soft compared to other gemstones, with a | | | | The lore surrnounding black tourmaline is that it repels |
| hardness of only 2.5 to 4.0 on the Mohs scale. Jet is | | | | negativity and protects the wearer. It is said to be a |
| now unfashionable, possibly because of its association | | | | very good stone to wear when you're experiencing |
| with mourning. The fact that it can be burned like coal | | | | any kind of stress. Placing black tourmaline under your |
| probably didn't help either. | | | | pillow is thought to protect you from nightmares. |
| Some finer gems are occasionally found in black, such | | | | Placing a black tourmaline at the entrance to your |
| as diamond, sapphire and spinel. But the most available | | | | house will protect you from jealous neighbors. |
| high quality black gemstone is tourmaline. Also known | | | | Emotionally, black tourmaline is excellent for dispelling |
| by the name schorl, black tourmaline is the most | | | | fears, obsessions, and neuroses, and bringing emotional |
| common form of this uncommon mineral. Perhaps | | | | stability. Physically, black tourmaline is alleged to |
| 95% of the tourmaline found in nature is black, and this | | | | strengthen the immune system and help with heart |
| is why black tourmaline is relatively inexpensive, selling | | | | disease, arthritis, and gout. |
| at prices well below amethyst or citrine. | | | | |