Where is Schorl in Quartz found?
Schorl (Black Tourmaline) with Quartz
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Open the appSchorl in Quartz 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 in Quartz
Brazil
Minas Gerais is a prolific source of high-quality schorl in quartz, particularly from pegmatite deposits.
United States
Maine, California, and Colorado have notable occurrences, often associated with granitic intrusions and pegmatites.
Madagascar
Known for various tourmaline varieties, including schorl, often found in quartz matrices.
Pakistan
Northern areas yield fine specimens of tourmaline, including schorl in quartz.
Afghanistan
Similar to Pakistan, known for pegmatite-hosted tourmaline varieties.
Collecting tips
- Geological Context. Focus on areas known for granitic pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, and contact metamorphic zones, as these are the primary environments for schorl and quartz formation.
- Visual Identification. Look for distinct black, often needle-like or columnar crystals embedded within translucent to transparent quartz. The contrast in color and form is usually quite evident.
- Hardness Test. Both schorl (7-7.5) and quartz (7) are relatively hard minerals, so they will scratch glass and steel. This helps differentiate them from softer black minerals.
- Fracture Patterns. Observe the fracture: quartz will show conchoidal fracture, while schorl may show uneven to conchoidal fracture, or a tendency to break along its prismatic habit.
- Magnetism. Schorl is generally non-magnetic, but some iron-rich varieties can be weakly magnetic. Quartz is non-magnetic. This can help rule out some other black minerals.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Black (schorl) in colorless to milky white (quartz)
- Luster:
- Vitreous to resinous (schorl), Vitreous (quartz)
- Streak:
- White (both schorl and quartz)
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