Tourmaline is actually a large group of minerals with a common crystal structure and physical properties, often identifiable by long, columnar crystals.
Different colors of tourmaline are commonly known by other names, such as verdelite (green), rubellite (red), indicolite (light blue), and achroite (colorless).
Sometimes multiple colors can form in the same crystal growth, like watermelon tourmaline, which transitions from pink to green.
Some colors are highly prized, like paraiba which is a vibrant blue variety colored by copper impurities. Finding certain colors of tourmaline can be more valuable than finding gold.
This black variety, called schorl, accounts for approximately 95% or more of all tourmaline in nature.
Chemical Formula: Na(Fe2+3)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
