Black Tourmaline Crystal Meaning: Healing Properties & Uses

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Black Tourmaline Crystal Meaning: Healing Properties & Everyday Uses

person holding black tourmaline stone

SUMMARY

  • Meaning: Black Tourmaline, known as a grounding stone, is believed to foster a connection between the Earth and the human spirit, aiding in the removal of negative energies within a person or a space.
  • Healing Properties: The healing properties of Black Tourmaline include promoting a sense of power and self-confidence, which can be particularly beneficial for those with anxiety or depression.
  • Protection: As a protective stone, Black Tourmaline is said to repel and block negative energies and psychic attacks, making it a shield against unwanted external influences.
  • Usage: Usage of Black Tourmaline can range from wearing it as jewelry, placing it in your home or workspace, to meditating with it, which can help to balance and harmonize the energy fields around you.
  • Care: To care for Black Tourmaline, it's recommended to cleanse it regularly under running water, and recharge it in the sun or under the moonlight to maintain its energy and effectiveness.

What is Black Tourmaline?

Black Tourmaline is part of the Tourmaline family. It is also known as Schorl and is a style of silicate crystal. It is commonly found in trigonal crystal systems and is made up of Sodium Iron Aluminum Borate Silicate. The stone is black. Black Tourmaline crystals mean grounding and protection.

Take a look at our essential guide to healing gemstones and find a crystal that captures you.

IN THIS ARTICLE

Begone, Negative Energy!

  • An inky black stone
  • Swallows negative energy
  • Transforms anxious feelings 
  • Found in Saxon Germany in the year 1400

While Black Tourmaline may seem stripped of any color, it’s a hugely powerful stone for those who want to wear a constant cloak of protection. Potent, inky black, and with strong grounding forces, this jet colored stone is known for being a swallower of negative energies. It effectively helps the wearer be absolved of dark feelings, turning these anxious vibrations into a positive spin that nurtures the soul.

Black Tourmaline is deeply connected to the base chakras, those earthly roots that help you to feel safe and secure in your place upon this earth. When your root chakras are beautifully balanced and in check, this grants you that deep-seated self-confidence to embrace who you are, speak your truth, and set upon your own path to spiritual healing. And Black Tourmaline can pave the way.

Hailing from the far-flung corners of the globe, Black Tourmaline can be found in the lush jungles of Brazil’s Amazon, the soaring mountains that split Pakistan and even beside the salt whipped waves of Maine. The first piece of Black Tourmaline was found back in the year 1400, deep in the rugged heart of Saxony, Germany where the dreamy piece of darkness was picked up close to an old tin mine. Since those days, Black Tourmaline has traveled a long way in our consciousness, and these unique properties make up the protective stone known for keeping bad energy away.

As dark as night, Black Tourmaline looks like someone took a sledgehammer to a volcano. Cool to the touch, but with ridges and furrows, it’s not a stone that needs a smooth appearance to make its point. Black Tourmaline is of the earth and every piece is perfectly unique. Yet, all hold the inky shade of black, sometimes when held in the light, the darkness seems to capture wispy grey veins or appear almost blue and deeply iridescent. Common formations of Tourmaline are Dravite and Schorl. Dravite tends to be a browner shade, earthly and rich whereas Schorl is as the inky midnight shade of onyx. Let’s delve a little deeper into the world of Black Tourmaline…

If you want to learn about all gemstones and how they work, check out our complete healing crystal guide!

Black Tourmaline Meaning: The Benefits

volcano smoking

There are many shades of Tourmaline, but none that hold the protective powers associated with Black Tourmaline. Formed where steamy waters and minerals move through pockets of the earth, this stone is deeply enriched with iron and manganese, both of which help grant Black Tourmaline the charging and magnetic properties that make it such a vital tool in your grounding box.

Feeling grounded is one of the most fundamental ingredients for those of us on a personal journey. Without the joy of being gorgeously grounded, we may find ourselves feeling lost, adrift, unmotivated and unconnected to any deeper sense of self. It’s also important to feel protected, and this again is where Black Tourmaline comes in.

Physical Healing Properties

  • Blocks EMFs
  • Boosts metabolism 

Perhaps the most famed benefit of the Black Tourmaline stone has to be its mighty protective properties. This is a stone so well versed at keeping you in the clear from toxic energies, that you can step out without a worry. Whether dealing with a dose of negativity from another person, or blocking EMF’s and worrying environmental factors, wearing Black Tourmaline is akin to always carrying a shield which cannot help but add a swagger of positive energy every time you step out.

Black Tourmaline has plenty of physical benefits for those whose bodies could use an extra dose of toughness. Helping circulation, reducing the negative imprint of lung problems, boosting metabolism, and effectively cutting down on muscle aches and pains are just a few things that Black Tourmaline can do. As a wonderful supporter of all organ systems and the immune system, you can expect Black Tourmaline to pick up the pace when it comes to swift and smooth healing.

If you find yourself a sensitive soul when it comes to electromagnetic forces, then Black Tourmaline can be the stone you need. Laptops, phones, TV – these all give off a smog that can cause chaos in those who are prone to EMF sensitivity. Fortunately, Black Tourmaline can stop EMF in its tracks, forming a protective barrier and soaking up the smog.

Emotional Healing Properties

  • Strong grounding forces
  • Cuts through anxious thoughts 

Potent, inky black, and with strong grounding forces, this jet colored stone is known for being a swallower of negative energies. It effectively helps the wearer be absolved of dark feelings, turning these anxious vibrations into a positive spin that nurtures the soul.

We already mentioned how great of a grounding force Black Tourmaline can be. Keeping you tethered at all times is an amazing way to keep your root chakra ready and clear, meaning that you can bask in the brilliance of self-confidence, feel connected to those around you, and make decisions based on need, not fear.

Another incredible benefit of Black Tourmaline is its ability to swap out detrimental patterns for positive ones. If you have old habits that aren’t serving you well, then Black Tourmaline will use its incredible frequencies to take all that energy and transform it into something pure and positive, helping you to consistently be on your best game and to achieve all that you can.

If you tend to lose your head or feel like the world is falling in on you, Black Tourmaline can truly transform your potential for staying calm and collected. By cutting through anxious thoughts, protecting you from the negative energies of others, and helping you stay connected, you can say farewell to debilitating levels of stress and anxiety. When you welcome positive energy, you also pave the way for good luck to flow towards you. 

Metaphysical Properties

  • Connected to the root chakra
  • Encourages confidence and truth seeking

Black Tourmaline is deeply connected to the base chakras, those earthly roots that help you to feel safe and secure in your place upon this earth. When your root chakras are beautifully balanced and in check, this grants you that deep-seated self-confidence to embrace who you are, speak your truth, and set upon your own path to spiritual healing. And Black Tourmaline can pave the way.

Providing a cloak of protection, this stone doesn’t leave you naked and exposed to energy vampires and psychic attacks. Boundaries are beautiful, and when we have some form of protection in place, we can move through the world without feeling consumed by the need to ‘watch our back’. It opens us up to be trusting, loving, and ready to learn as we have faith that we are tethered and protected no matter what.

Black Tourmaline As a Zodiac Birthstone

  • A birthstone for Libra and Scorpio
  • Good for Capricorns 

Black Tourmaline is associated with the birthstone that represents the dark nights closing in. As an October birthstone, Black Tourmaline is a match for Libras and Scorpios but is also incredibly well suited to Capricorns. Librans are charming and balanced, but they do tend to flee from facing conflict. Black Tourmaline helps Librans to stay strong and feeling protected inviting them a secure space in which to share their thoughts and ideas when needed. Black Tourmaline is a stress dissolver for the Libra star sign. For Scorpios, Black Tourmaline can also help them with their indecisive and conflict avoidance traits too. 

Capricorns are known for their ambitious and disciplined nature, but too much time tethered to the computer and all that technology can be detrimental on both mental and physical health. Black Tourmaline can swoop in to soak up those EMF’s.

Capricorns may pride themselves in being complete and unflinching realists, but sometimes this can be read as being a little too pessimistic. Whenever a new idea to put on the table, a Capricorn won’t hesitate to count the flaws in the plan before they even show a hint of excitement. Another amazing trait of Black Tourmaline is its ability to bring a much-needed dose of positivity and to push that negative vibes a little further to the background. This doesn’t mean that the dark-colored stone invites you to be a fake but actually entices you to pay attention a little bit more to the positive side.

As Capricorns can also steer a little more to the sensitive side, Black Tourmaline may help you to grow a little bit of a thicker skin. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being sensitive but if you find it is getting in the way of your self-confidence, esteem levels, and ability to ease up in social settings, then this obsidian like gemstone can help you shrug off those jokes like water on a ducks back. 

Using Black Tourmaline for Crystal Healing

woman holding puppy wearing black tourmaline and other gemstone bracelets

Check out our healing Black Tourmaline Bracelet!

  • Wear jewelry for protection 
  • Welcome into the home to fend off EMF's

To make the most of its protective nature, Black Tourmaline should strike up a close-knit bond with all that want to soak up the truly potent benefits of her strength. Here are our tips on how to use Black Tourmaline and gemstone jewelry to your best advantage…

Jewelry

For those who feel vulnerable to the world or who have high empath issues, Black Tourmaline is best worn on the body in the form of jewelry. By wearing Black Tourmaline it is akin to putting a cloak on or carrying a shield as it will always be there, forming a guard against unwanted energies and emotional attacks. Having Black Tourmaline jewelry is one of the most effective ways to drape this cape around your shoulders as using gemstones for direct skin contact ensures that your body is able to effectively soak up and transmute those healing vibrations.

For those stones that marry well with Black Tourmaline, you can look to Amethyst to balance out protection and instill an even deeper sense of calm. Hematite is another fiercely protective stone which is sure to make your arsenal against electromagnetic radiation even stronger. Clear Quartz can balance out the midnight hues to become the moon. You can also look towards other members of the tourmaline family to match your Black Tourmaline. Pink Tourmaline is as pretty as a picture, and like many of the rose-hued stones, it encourages gentle love, joy and endless compassion. One of the most beautiful styles of Pink Tourmaline is known as Watermelon Tourmaline thanks to its pink center edged with green. Green Tourmaline also brings masculine energy to the more feminine style of the rosy stone. This stone is sublime to the eye and stands out in its sheer splendor when place next to the midnight shades of black crystals. Agate, Kyanite, Fluorite, and Rose Quartz also make excellent intuitive partners to the Black Tourmaline crystal.

If you want to cleanse your aura, clear out worries, and fall into the wonderful bliss of a good night’s sleep, then take a piece of Black Tourmaline and place it beneath your pillow. Having it close will help its nature to soothe aches and pains that plague your sleep, meaning you will wake up refreshed and ready to face another day.

Home and Office 

If you want to place an EMF protective forcefield around your home, then take four small pieces of Black Tourmaline and create a grid by placing one in each of the four corners. This protective grid will ensure that your home remains a sanctuary, protected against any detrimental energies that try to enter your space. 

How to Cleanse Black Tourmaline

  • Cleanse with water
  • Charge by smudging

Because Black Tourmaline works like a sponge, soaking up all those negative energies whizzing around, it’s important to keep your stone emotionally cleansed on a regular basis.

Black Tourmaline has an appetite and while it will easily digest toxic vibes, you do want to keep it purified to stop its potent powers getting blocked. You can opt to smudge the stone to clear away the bad juju.

Another way of ensuring your Black Tourmaline piece is clear is by soaking it. Simply place it in a bowl of bright and clear spring water and let it soak for a short while to ensure that every ripple of doubt has flowed away.

Geological Properties

Black Tourmaline Rock Properties
Chemical Classification Silicate mineral
Chemical Formula Na(Fe2+3)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F
Crystal System Trigonal
Color Black, iron-rich varieties may be brownish-black
Streak White
Luster Vitreous to sub-metallic
Transparency Opaque
Occurrence Occurs in a variety of igneous and metamorphic rocks
Formation Formed through hydrothermal alteration of other minerals or by crystallization from magmas
Diaphaneity Opaque
Cleavage Poor basal and prismatic
Mohs Hardness 7 - 7.5
Specific Gravity 2.9 - 3.3
Diagnostic Properties Black color, striated prismatic crystals, piezoelectricity and pyroelectricity
Chemical Composition Na(Fe2+3)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F
Crystal System Trigonal
Optical Properties Uniaxial (-)
Refractive Index nω = 1.635 - 1.675; nε = 1.610 - 1.650
Birefringence δ = 0.025 - 0.040
2V Angle 20° to 50°
Dispersion Strong
Other Characteristics Piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties

Final Thoughts on Black Tourmaline 

For those who want to call on the natural powers of protection, Black Tourmaline is your ideal secret weapon. It’s impeccable powers and its ability to transmute negative energies into something positive make it a must for your toolbox of crystals that beautifully serve and protect.

If you struggle to feel safe in your root chakra, find yourself feeling lost and vulnerable in this world, and often feel like your own emotions are spinning out of control, then Black Tourmaline can be the friend you need to bring yourself back to grounding.

What are your thoughts on Black Tourmaline? Does its inky nature call to you or are you more drawn to the brighter gemstones? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Black Tourmaline FAQ's 

Can Black Tourmaline go in water?

Black Tourmaline is a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale which means that it is considered to be water safe. However, like with all crystals, you should avoid leaving Black Tourmaline exposed to water for long periods of time. Black tourmaline can also be washed in salt water but again, shouldn’t be exposed for too long.

What is Black Tourmaline good for?

Black Tourmaline is a stone often used for protection. It’s a great stone for soaking up negative energies and blocks EMF’s. It is also a good stone for opening the root chakra and making sure that you stay grounded. Black Tourmaline can help with anxiety, stress, and a good sleep.

How to charge Black Tourmaline?

As an absorber of negative energy it is essential that you keep your Black Tourmaline cleansed and charged as regularly as needed. One of the best ways of charging up your Black Tourmaline is to place it in sunlight for twenty minutes. If you don’t feel comfortable leaving it in the sun you can also place it in moonlight or even in the earth for a few hours.

How to tell if Black Tourmaline is real?

Black Tourmaline is a hard stone that shouldn’t suffer damage when being scratched by a knife. As it scores a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale you should be able to perform a scratch test. If the stone stays intact and doesn’t display scratch marks from a knife or steel nail then it’s probably the real deal. You can also check the gem for long vertical lines and in the case of tumbled Black Tourmaline you should still be able to feel cracks and fissures.

How to use Black Tourmaline?

One of the best ways to use Black Tourmaline is to wear it. Inviting your healing gemstones to have direct contact with the skin can keep you synced to positive vibrations and can ensure you carry that healing energy with you. Wearing it will also invoke the tradition of it being a protective amulet which also helps to keep negative energies and EMFs at bay. If you want to use Black Tourmaline to clear the root chakra, you can place the stone on that area of the body during meditation. You can also place Black Tourmaline at entryways of your home to keep harmful energy far from your door.

Can Black Tourmaline be in the sun?

Yes, Black Tourmaline can be placed in the sun and in fact, it's a great way to charge and cleanse your stone. However, as with all crystals, you want to avoid prolonged exposure to sunshine as this could impact the coloring of the gem. Leave it for less than an hour to play it safe and avoid any sun exposure fading.

What chakra is Black Tourmaline?

Black Tourmaline is connected to the root chakra. Like all dark and dreamy stones, this gem helps you to get grounded. The root chakra is one of our most foundational chakras and is the root of how we feel safe and secure in this world. When our root chakra is balanced we can enjoy heightened confidence and a sense of balance.

What is Black Tourmaline stone?

Black Tourmaline also goes by the name of Schorl. It is a member of the tourmaline family and made up of sodium iron aluminum borate silicate. It has a trigonal crystal system and usually a vitreous luster. As the name suggests, this gemstone is normally a deep black color.

What does it mean when Black Tourmaline breaks?

Crystals can break when they have had an energetic breakthrough. As Black Tourmaline is a powerful protection gem, a breakage could mean that it came up against a big force of negative energy and used all its might in keeping that bad energy at bay. In the physical sense it can mean that

Where to place Black Tourmaline in the house?

If you want your Black Tourmaline to protect you EMFs you can place it on your desk or close to wherever you work most with technology. Creating a safety field around your house can also be achieved by placing Black Tourmaline stones in each of the four corners. For those who need to boost their sleep, keep the gem in the bedroom.

Is Black Tourmaline toxic?

Black Tourmaline is not considered to be a toxic gemstone and is completely safe to use.

What does Black Tourmaline look like?

You can recognize a Black Tourmaline due to its pitch black coloring and the appearance of vertical lines on the stone. This gemstone comes stripped of color, and boasts a textured surface with ridges, furrows, and lines.

Where is Black Tourmaline found?

Black Tourmaline is found across the world, but some of its main mining spots are in African countries such as Tanzania, Madagascar, Namibia, Mozambique, Kenya, and Nigeria among others. Black Tourmaline is also found in Brazil and other spots too.

How do you use Black Tourmaline?

One of the best ways to use Black Tourmaline is to simply keep it on your person. Wear it in jewelry form, pack it in your purse or pocket, sleep with it under your pillow or do whatever you can to stay present and connected. You can also work with Black Tourmaline in reiki healing or hold the stone when meditating to stay grounded and protected at all times.

Is Black Tourmaline radioactive?

Black Tourmaline is not radioactive, in fact it is widely believed to be a protective gemstone that helps to ward off radiation, EMFs, and any kind of toxicity or negative energy in the air. This is why people who are sensitive to EMFs keep Black Tourmaline close by.

Can Black Tourmaline make you sick?

All crystals have the possibility of contrasting with your own energy or being too strong at first. If your Black Tourmaline is making you feel sick or light headed, you can give it a good cleanse to rid it of any energy build up. You can also try keeping it close by or in nearby proximity but not on the body until you have built up a good tolerance to its energy.

How to program Black Tourmaline?

One of the best ways to program Black Tourmaline is to hold it in your receiving hand and sit comfortably. You can clear your mind and focus on what you want from the gemstone - whether its complete protection, grounding, balance, or anything else.. Speak your intention outloud and concentrate on how it would feel. Hold the stone to your heart and thank it. Now, keep the gem close for some time so it syncs with your own energy.

How to wear Black Tourmaline bracelet?

If you want to make the most of your Black Tourmaline bracelet, you can wear it on your left wrist. Your left wrist is your receiving hand which means that you will receive all the protection this gemstone has to offer. If you want to send protection out to those you love and care for, you can also wear it on the right hand (your giving hand).

Who should not wear Black Tourmaline?

Black Tourmaline is a truly grounding stone and it can help alleviate a lot of suffering or feelings of insecurity in many people. However, some people may be sensitive to its deep grounding energy and may find it a heavy stone or may be sensitive to its strong energy. If you are experiencing heaviness, nausea, or light headedness you may want to work up to wearing it and start with just keeping it close by or limiting your exposure to the stone at the beginning.

How do you cleanse Black Tourmaline?

One of the easiest ways to cleanse Black Tourmaline is to hold it under running water for a few seconds to let any energetic build up discharge. If you want to cleanse it in a less invasive way, you can also smudge your stone or use sound baths to help it clear any energy away.

Is shungite the same as Black Tourmaline?

Black Tourmaline is a silicate mineral whereas Shungite doesn’t share this crystal structure. Shungite is mostly made up of carbon so they don’t share the same make up at all. However, they do share some similarities in terms of being black stones that are commonly called on for their protective powers.

What are the benefits of Black Tourmaline?

There are many benefits to welcoming Black Tourmaline into your world. This gemstone is a great stone for getting you grounded and cleansing the root chakra so you can feel safe and stable and brimming with confidence. It also helps to keep you free from the side effects that come from EMFs and other toxic energies. Black Tourmaline is one of the best protective gemstones.

What does Black Tourmaline symbolize?

Black Tourmaline symbolizes safety, grounding, and protection. It has the symbolic energy of throwing an invisibility cloak over you when it comes to negative energy. It also helps to keep your body buzzing at the highest frequency possible, ensuring that those negative vibes stay well away.

What is the spiritual meaning of Black Tourmaline?

Black Tourmaline is an anchor for the soul in all the best ways. As a beautiful grounding stone, this dark and dreamy gem clears the root chakra so you can always keep your feet on the ground. It also surrounds you with an aura of protection, meaning that any bad vibes will struggle to break through.

Is Black Tourmaline the same as obsidian?

Black Tourmaline is in the mineral class whereas Obsidian is considered to be a volcanic glass. Both share similar energies in terms of protection and grounding but Black Tourmaline is known to be a dab hand at keeping negative energies at bay. Obsidian also has a smoother texture than Black Tourmaline.

Where can I buy Black Tourmaline near me?

As Black Tourmaline is one of the most popular gemstones out there, you shouldn’t have any issue picking it up from a gemstone retailer. Always make sure that your crystal seller is reputable so that the crystals you bring into your life are the real deal and ethically sourced if possible.

Where to put Black Tourmaline on your body?

Wearing Black Tourmaline on the body in terms of gemstone jewelry will help you to surround yourself in protective energy. You can wear it as a bracelet on your left side to keep yourself shielded from negative energy. You can wear it as a pendant or earrings or even as a stone in your ring so it works as a protective amulet. If you want to use it to cleanse the root chakra then place it on your lower body - around your pelvic floor or base of the spine.

Can you sleep with Black Tourmaline?

Anyone who struggles with sleep will fall head over heels for Black Tourmaline. As a gemstone connected with safety, security, and protection, you can rest easy knowing that Black Tourmaline has your back. It helps ease tension and anxiety, keeps you safe from nightmares, and protects you from electromagnetic smog that can seep into your sleep space too.

Does Black Tourmaline protect against emf?

Yes, as a powerful protective stone Black Tourmaline can help to protect against EMFs and other environmental factors. Electromagnetic smog can come from all kinds of electronics and those who are sensitive to it may find that they are more susceptible to headaches, sleeplessness, anxiety, and other issues. Having a Black Tourmaline close by can help to ensure that you stay protected and keep any toxic or negative energies at bay.

Does the size of Black Tourmaline matter?

When it comes to crystal healing on the body, the size of the Black Tourmaline stone shouldn’t matter. However, when it comes to attempting to energetically cleanse the room or protect your physical space, a larger stone or crystal tower or sphere may work better.

How to wear Black Tourmaline stone?

Wear your Black Tourmaline stone in the form of jewelry to carry its protective and healing powers with you wherever you go. Wearing it as a bracelet on your left hand (your receiving hand) keeps you protected from negative energy. You can also wear an amulet around your neck. If you want to lend protection to your third eye or crown chakra you can also wear these gemstones in earring form.

Is Black Tourmaline good for sleep?

Yes, Black Tourmaline is a great stone for sleep. Not only does this dark and dreamy gem keep bad dreams at bay but it also helps you to create a safe haven for getting to sleep in the first place. Black Tourmaline eases anxiety, helps you to settle, and makes sure that no negative energies (including EMFs) can enter your space.

Is Black Tourmaline magnetic?

Yes, of all the gemstones, tourmaline and indeed Black Tourmaline have the highest magnetic properties thanks to the concentration of iron or manganese. It is also said to become electrically charged when heating or rubbing it. Make no mistake, this gemstone is soaked in power and charged to the max.

What crystals go well with Black Tourmaline?

There are many stones that suit Black Tourmaline. Amethyst is a good gem for balancing out the grounding power of this foundational stone. Clear Quartz also balances in terms of energy and shade. Pink Tourmaline brings love and energy all while the black keeps you protected. Rose Quartz, Agate, Fluorite, and Kunzite can also be matches made in heaven.

Who should wear Black Tourmaline?

Those who are sensitive to EMFs and other environmental factors would do well to wear Black Tourmaline. As Black Tourmaline protects against EMFs and all kinds of harmful energy, wearing this gemstone will ensure that any negative effects are kept at bay. You can also wear Black Tourmaline if you feel unsteady or unsafe in this world as the stone can help you get grounded and raise your confidence right up.

Can I sleep with Black Tourmaline?

Yes, Black Tourmaline is a great stone to carry to bed with you. As it’s a gemstone of protection, it can help to keep nightmares and intrusive thoughts at bay. For those who struggle with letting go of the day or who often fight to relax into a sweet sleep, Black Tourmaline can be a perfect part of your bedtime routine.

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