Schorl

     Our Schorl is part of the Elbaite-Schorl Series.  Elbaite, Dravite and Schorl are all part
of the Tourmaline Group.  Sometimes referred to as Schorlite, this tourm sports outstanding
crystal faces!

     Schorl's chemistry of NaFe₃B₃Al₃(Al₃Si₆O₂₇)(OH)₄ exhibits Iron, Boron, and more Oxygen
than our last two Summer Picfest minerals of Elbaite and Rubellite Tourmalines.

     As a basic constituent of most earthly pegmatites, black tourmaline rules the roost as
occurring in an almost endless variety of mineral associations.  It shares crystal space with
such neighbors as quartz, feldspar, garnet, micas, and more!

    Found on seven continents, Schorl's commonality reaches across nations.  Mineral
enthusiasts can gather and share stories about their encounters with their local black
tourmalines.

mindat.org database.

Fluorite with Schorl and Quartz (ex Nelson Collection) Erongo, Namibia		Schorl with Albite (ex Nelson Collection) Doko, Shugar-Dassu, Balistan, Pakistan
Schorl with Quartz and Muscovite (ex Nelson Collection) Teofilo Otoni, Minas Gerais, Brazil		Schorl Conselheiro Pena, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Orthoclase with Schorl Orongo Mountains, Namibia		Schorl with Quartz crystal intergrown (ex Nelson Collection) Shigar Valley, Skardu, Northern Areas, Pakistan
Schorl on Quartz (ex Nelson Collection) Kollona, near Embilipitiya, Uva Prov., Sri Lanka		Aquamarine Beryl after Orthoclase with Schorl, Hyalite Opal Erongo Mountains, Namibia
Schorl Orongo Mountains, Namibia		Schorl (ex Yoder Collection) Blue Sky Prospect, Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico
Photos by and courtesy of Isaias Casanova ©2007, IC Minerals
Schorl Sonora, Mexico		Terminated Schorl Crystal in matrix
Schorl Crystals		Schorl Huachuca Mountains, southeastern Arizona
Photos courtesy of Roger Weller, Cochise College
Schorl Crystal		Schorl Crystal
Photos courtesy of Stan Celestian, Glendale Community College

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Until Next Time

Article Contributors

Photo & Graphics Credits

I would like to gratefully acknowledge the generous contributions of our fellow Schorl
enthusiasts, collectors, authors, curators, professionals, and club members who made this
work possible.  Thanks.

Isaias Casanova, I C Minerals

Roger Weller, Geology Instructor, Cochise College

Stan Celestian, Emeritus Instructor, Glendale Community College

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