The Healers Guide to Using Black Tourmaline

Among the numerous hues and patterns seen in healing crystals, it’s surprising to find that very few predominantly black stones exist. This probably explains their allure and mysterious sense of power. In this article, we’ll dive into one of the most prominent examples of these mysterious stones - black tourmaline.

What Is Black Tourmaline?

Black tourmaline is the most common naturally-occurring color of the tourmaline family, a species of a large group of crystals known as silicates. It is part of the hexagonal crystal system and is specifically known as boron silicate. The stone has a characteristic appearance in its natural form which resembles long columnar crystals which have a triangular cross-section when cut across.

Black tourmaline (also referred to as shorl) has an inky black appearance and usually has inclusions of mica, which create beautiful silver streaks within the stone. The stone has a vitreous luster and is commonly quite opaque, allowing the passage of little to no light. The semi-precious stone is mined in large quantities in many countries around the world including Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Pakistan, and so on.

What Does Black Tourmaline Signify?

Black tourmaline is closely associated with the Root Chakra, which is also known as the Muladhara chakra. It is located at the base of the spine and is the first of the chakras of matter. The Root Chakra is responsible for grounding and stability, which explains why the black tourmaline is also a powerful grounding stone as well.

The black tourmaline crystal is associated with the earth elemental. The zodiac signs Capricorn, Scorpio, and Libra are also closely linked with the stone, which is another sign of its strong connection with balance since it is a trait also closely related to these astrological figures.

What Are the Benefits of Black Tourmaline?

Here are a few key benefits you stand to gain from using black tourmaline.

Powerful Warding Abilities

Black tourmaline is a powerful warding stone and can be used to negate and dispel harmful energies. This is probably one of its most well-known functions and explains why the stone is one of the most commonly used protection stones used by most natural healers.

It Is a Potent Grounding Stone

Black tourmaline is not a high-energy stone and can therefore be used with stones that possess fast harmonious vibrations such as carnelian, rose quartz, citrine, and so on. This produces a more calming, balanced, and grounded aura during use. Simply keeping a piece of the stone around creates a peaceful environment that is great for critical thinking, meditation, and healing as well.

Cleansing Other Healing Crystals

Another key property of black tourmaline is its ability to dispel negative energy from even other crystals. As healing crystals absorb negative energy over a while their effectiveness reduces. This may appear as a dull in the luster of the stone or a reduced effect when used during meditation. Placing the stone around black tourmaline is a great way to rejuvenate the spent crystal and make sure you get the best out of it.

It’s Great for Dealing With Negative Emotions

Due to its grounding and warding properties black tourmaline is great for dealing with negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, and grief. The stone can be used as a source of strength, courage, self-esteem, and motivation. 

It Increases Physical Vitality

Although not primarily known for its healing properties, black tourmaline is great for dealing with muscle aches, fatigue, and poor circulation. It adds vitality to the body by allowing you to draw strength from the virtually endless supply of energy that flows through the veins of the earth.

How To Use Black Tourmaline

Here are a couple of ways you can get the best out of a black tourmaline gemstone.

Hold It During Meditation

A great way to use black tourmaline is to hold the stone during meditation and use it as a point of focus. The stone has powerful grounding abilities. It can be used to bring a deeper connection between your inner chakra and the flow of energy through the earth.

Sleep With the Stone Nearby

Black tourmaline has strong warding properties against negative energies and can be quite useful for protecting our minds while we sleep. Some people simply place the stone in the room with them while others may even place a small stone under their pillow as well.

Place a Stone in Your House 

Because black tourmaline creates a protective aura around the user it’s a good idea to keep a piece of the stone in places you spend a significant amount of time as your home. Not only does this prevent negative energy from entering this sacred area, but it also helps expel any harmful energies which are being produced within this space.

Use It as a Piece of Jewelry

A lot of people like creating jewelry pieces out of black tourmaline due to its alluring appearance. This also allows you to create a protective barrier around you wherever you go. This is quite useful because we encounter many different sources of negative energy every day, all of which can disrupt our chakra and mental health.

Place a Piece in Your Place of Work

Irrespective of your profession the workplace is a significant source of a lot of negative emotions and interpersonal friction. Placing an ornamental piece of black tourmaline at your desk or around you while you work creates a calming environment that is much more conducive to discovering peaceful resolutions.

Use It to Cleanse Other Healing Crystals

Black tourmaline can also be used as a cleansing stone for other crystals due to its ability to absorb and dispel harmful energy. Place the stone with other crystals when recharging them using sunlight or moonlight and allow them to be purged of all the negative energy within them.

Use It as a Part of Your Healing Altar

Black tourmaline provides a great balance against other high-energy crystals and is a great way to complement the other crystals in your healing altar. The stone's natural ability to absorb and dispel unwanted energies is one that every healing crystal enthusiast would appreciate.

How To Tell If a Black Tourmaline Crystal Is Real

Now it’s common for many disingenuous merchants to sell pieces of glass or substandard crystals as high-quality healing crystals. However, there are several quick tips you can follow to ensure you’re using an authentic black tourmaline crystal.

Look At Its Physical Characteristics

The first step is to closely observe the black stone for some telltale features such as the visible lines on the body, the presence of silvery-white streaks, and the slight color change when held up against bright light. Pure crystals are not common in nature, so a pure black gemstone with no inclusions may not be a true black tourmaline. Also, the crystal is quite heavy, so any piece that feels suspiciously light is likely to be colored glass.

Do the Scratch Test

Black tourmaline is a strong crystal with a hardness rating of 7.0 - 7.5 on the Mohs scale. Therefore, when rubbed against a piece of glass it is expected to scratch the glass, which has a lower hardness rating. If the crystal appears damaged, then it is not a black tourmaline stone. Black tourmaline should not be easily scratched even by metals, so this test can also be performed with a metal needle instead of glass.

Conclusion

Despite its inky black appearance, the black tourmaline is truly a light in the dark for those who feel lost. It can be used in a variety of ways and has tons of beneficial properties which can be harnessed by anybody. The stone is a powerful anchor which reminds you of your connection to the world around you and the earth beneath your feet. The black tourmaline crystal is the stone of balance, calm, and most importantly strength.

FAQs

• How Can a Black Tourmaline Be Activated?

Activating black tourmaline is quite easy. Simply place the crystal in the palm of your hand and focus your energy on the stone while quietly meditating or chanting a mantra. After a while, you will be able to feel the flow of energy from the stone passing between you and the ground beneath you.

• How Do I Cleanse a Black Tourmaline?

Black tourmaline can be cleansed by placing the stone under running water for a few minutes. Avoid soaking the stone for prolonged periods because this may damage the crystalline structure.

• Is Black Tourmaline a Lucky Stone?

Black tourmaline helps negate negative energies around you and therefore can attract luck and goodwill to the user.

• How Much Does Black Tourmaline Cost?

The cost of the crystal can vary widely depending on the size, quality, merchant, form, and other factors. Raw uncut stones may cost from $0.10-$1 per carat at wholesale prices. Simpler cuts usually range from $6-$20 per carat, while more intricate pieces can be as high as $30-$60 per carat. 

• Does Black Tourmaline Fade in the Sun?

Placing a crystal in direct sunlight is a great way to cleanse and rejuvenate the sun. However, prolonged exposure may alter the natural structure of the crystal and cause some color changes. Therefore, only an hour of direct exposure to sunlight is recommended.