Black Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a type of semi-precious gemstone that comes in a variety of colors. The most common varieties include black, red, brown, yellow, green, and blue. Tourmaline is usually found in granitic rocks or in pegmatite deposits. It’s commonly used in jewelry due to its attractive appearance and hardness. A smaller percentage of tourmalines are actually made up of pure silica. These stones are known as “silicate tourmalines”. They are often more affordable than their naturally occurring counterparts. Because of their lower price, silicate tourmalines are often used for decorative purposes (e.g., watch bands). However, care should be taken when selecting a silicate tourmaline since they may not have the same properties as natural stones.