Where is Schorl found?
Black Tourmaline
Got a photo? Identify rocks instantly with the Rockby app
Open the appSchorl occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Schorl
Brazil
Minas Gerais is a world-renowned source for large, well-formed schorl crystals, often found in pegmatite deposits.
Pakistan
Northern Areas, particularly Gilgit-Baltistan, produce excellent quality schorl crystals, sometimes associated with other tourmaline varieties.
United States
Maine (e.g., Mount Mica, Newry) and California (e.g., Pala District) are known for schorl, often in pegmatite occurrences.
Afghanistan
Nuristan and Kunar provinces yield significant schorl specimens, often from pegmatite bodies.
Namibia
Erongo Region is famous for its schorl specimens, sometimes found in association with quartz and feldspar.
Collecting tips
- Look for Pegmatites. Schorl is most commonly found in granitic pegmatites. These are coarse-grained igneous rocks, often found as dikes or sills cutting through other igneous or metamorphic rocks. Look for areas with exposed pegmatite bodies.
- Identify Associated Minerals. Schorl often occurs with quartz, feldspar (orthoclase, albite), muscovite, lepidolite, and sometimes beryl or garnet. The presence of these minerals can indicate a favorable environment for schorl.
- Check for Striations. The characteristic vertical striations on the prismatic faces of tourmaline crystals are a key identification feature. Even in broken fragments, these striations can often be observed.
- Test Hardness. With a Mohs hardness of 7-7.5, schorl will scratch glass and steel. This helps differentiate it from softer black minerals like biotite.
- Observe Crystal Habit. Schorl typically forms elongated, columnar, or acicular crystals. Look for these distinct crystal shapes in outcrops or in weathered material.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Opaque black
- Luster:
- Vitreous to resinous
- Streak:
- White to colorless
Explore Schorl
Identify rocks anywhere
Free on iOS, Android, and Web. Photo identification, full database, and your personal collection.