Schorl is the most common form of all the Tourmalines. It is often referred to as “Black Tourmaline” since its color is exclusively black. And, unlike other Tourmaline forms, it is never transparent or even translucent, only opaque. Add a highly lustrous luster and you have a popular collectable mineral. Numerous associations with other quality minerals include Aquamarine, Quartz, Albite, Muscovite, Smoky Quartz, Fluorite and Microcline.

The crystal system for Schorl is hexagonal, typically forming elongated prismatic crystals and short, stubby prismatic crystals, both with striations and rounded, triangular cross-sections. Crystal clusters can be columnar, radiating and in compact masses. Other forms include acicular, massive, and long needle-like crystal inclusions in Quartz, forming “Tourmalinated Quartz”.

Quality Schorl specimens are found in several localities, including Afghanistan, Brazil, Madagascar, Namibia, Pakistan, and the USA (California, Connecticut).