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Schorl

A Tourmaline group mineral named for the Old German word schürl, a word of unknown derivation which may mean “impurities,” or may be in reference to an old German village called Schorl, now called Zorschlau, which had a nearby tin mine that contained Schorl. Schorl is the most common of the tourmalines and can be found in many localities, but a few know for exceptional specimens include Germany, England, Italy, Russia, the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Namibia, and Afghanistan. Schorl is a common constituent of granite and granite pegmatites, can be found in hydrothermal veins and metamorphic rocks, and is occasionally found as a detrital mineral. Schorl is pyroelectric, has a charge when heated, and piezoelectric, forms a charge in response to pressure.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/schorl.pdf
- Formula
- NaFe2+3Al6(BO3)3Si6O18(OH)4
- Crystal System
- Trigonal
- Crystal Habit
- Acicular, Prismatic, Striated
- Cleavage
- Indistinct, None, None
- Luster
- Vitreous (Glassy)
- Color
- black, brownish black, greenish black, bluish black
- Streak
- brown
- Class
- Trigonal - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
- Fracture
- Brittle - Conchoidal
- Hardness
- 7.5
- WebMineral
- View Schorl
- Mindat
- View Schorl
Schorl from DOT mine, Custer Co., South Dakota, United States

Schorl Tourmaline to 2.5cm.
Schorl from Anzar Army Camp, Gilgit-Skardu Rd., Northern Areas, Pakistan

A terminated 5.5cm striated, black Schorl tourmaline crystals with snow white Albite crystals.
Schorl from Dassu, Haramosh Range, Balistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan

This is a cap from a larger prismatic crystal with an extreme pyramidal termination not generally seen in large crystals of tourmaline like this.
Schorl from Erongo Mountains, Karibib, Erongo Region, Namibia

An excellent grouping of black lustrous crystals of trigonally terminated Schorl crystals to 5-8mm.
Schorl from Timber Butte, Silver Bow Co., Montana, United States
Lustrous deep black nicely terminated Schorl tourmaline. E
Schorl from Boulder Batholith, Jefferson Co., Montana, United States
- Special Info
- Chris van Laer Collection
Stubby, striated Schorl crystal with TEN faces on the termination. From this area, it is an excellent specimen from the miarolitic cavities.