Where is Schorl found?
Na(Fe2+3)Al6(BO3)3Si6O18(OH)4
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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 locality for large, well-formed schorl crystals, often found in pegmatites.
United States
Maine (e.g., Mount Mica, Newry), California (e.g., Pala District), and Colorado are known for schorl occurrences, particularly in pegmatites.
Pakistan
Northern Areas, particularly Gilgit-Baltistan, produce fine schorl specimens, often associated with other tourmaline varieties.
Afghanistan
Nuristan Province is a significant source of tourmaline, including schorl, from pegmatite deposits.
Namibia
Erongo Region is known for its pegmatites yielding excellent schorl crystals, sometimes associated with other minerals.
Madagascar
Various pegmatite fields throughout the island produce schorl.
Collecting tips
- Look for Granitic Pegmatites. Schorl is most commonly found in pegmatites, which are coarse-grained igneous rocks. Look for areas with exposed pegmatite dikes or veins.
- Identify Associated Minerals. Schorl often occurs with quartz, feldspar (orthoclase, albite), muscovite, and sometimes lepidolite or beryl. The presence of these minerals can indicate a favorable environment.
- Check for Crystal Habit. Search for elongated, prismatic crystals with a triangular cross-section and vertical striations. These features are highly characteristic of tourmaline.
- Examine Metamorphic Rocks. In some regions, schorl can be found in schists and gneisses, particularly those that have undergone boron metasomatism.
- Use a Hardness Test. Schorl has a hardness of 7-7.5 on the Mohs scale, which can help distinguish it from softer black minerals like biotite or harder ones like magnetite (though magnetite is opaque and metallic).
Quick Check
- Color:
- Opaque black
- Luster:
- Vitreous to resinous
- Streak:
- White to colorless
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