Can Black Tourmaline Go in Water?

I often get questions regarding the uses and care of Black Tourmaline. One most asked query is, can Black Tourmaline go in water?

But first, let’s understand what actually is tourmaline and its characteristics.

The word “tourmaline” has been derived from the Sinhalese term “tōramalli” meaning “mixed stones”. It is a crystalline boron silicate mineral that can form a compound with other elements such as aluminum, magnesium, sodium, iron, potassium, or lithium. It is formed during the process of igneous rock formation and its chemical composition is (Ca, Na, K, [vacancy]) (Li, Mg, Fe⁺², Fe⁺³, Mn⁺², Al, Cr⁺³, V⁺³)₃ (Mg, Al, Fe⁺³, V⁺³, Cr⁺³)₆ ((Si, Al, B)₆O₁₈) (BO₃)₃ (OH, O)₃ (OH, F, O). Tourmaline can be found in various colors. The most common variety is black. Other colors include yellow, orange, red, blue, green, violet, and pink. A single tourmaline crystal can sometimes be bi-colored, or even tri-colored. Colorless tourmaline also can be found.

The surface of this crystal varies from translucent to opaque. Its toughness ranges from 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. It is hard and brittle.

Tourmaline is mined in Brazil, many parts of Africa (including Nigeria, Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Malawi), and parts of Asia (including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and India).

Black Tourmaline

Black tourmaline belongs to the tourmaline family. It is also called ‘schorl‘. It is a trigonal silicate crystal consisting of sodium iron aluminum borate silicate. It is a hard mineral and is insoluble in most solvents, including water. It is worn as a piece of jewelry and as a birthstone by people born in October.

It is excellent for Libras, Scorpios, and Capricorns. The color black absorbs all colors and is symbolic of power. Black tourmaline is therefore an extremely powerful stone used for protection against negative energy and electromagnetic forces.

Physical Properties of Black Tourmaline

Black tourmaline has multiple vertical scratches and various ridges on its surface. It is considered to have both pyroelectric and piezoelectric abilities, i.e. it gets electrically charged once it is heated and it can store electrical charge. It is a strong and durable material. This stone is rich in iron and manganese content and therefore has magnetic properties.

Healing Properties of Black Tourmaline

Black tourmaline is extensively used as a healing crystal as well as for crystal therapy. It has the power to drive negative forces such as dark feelings, anxiety, stress, pressure, etc. away from its wearer and give the soul a positive boost. It helps the wearer feel safe and secure. Black tourmaline is the most effective among other shades when it comes to providing protective powers.

Physical healing properties

Black tourmaline protects the wearer from negative energy emerging from other people, or the environment. It helps improve circulation, boost metabolism, reduces muscle pain, and brings down the negative imprints of lung problems. It can stop electromagnetic forces (EMF) emerging from electronic devices such as televisions, laptops, phones, etc.

Mental healing properties

Black tourmaline helps in reducing the feeling of stress, anxiety, and insecurity. It helps us remain calm, boosts our confidence, and helps us feel secure.

Metaphysical properties

It helps in uplifting us spiritually by providing a cloak of protection against negative energy and psychic attacks.

How to use Black Tourmaline?

It is best to use black tourmaline as a piece of jewelry in the form of a ring, bracelet, necklace, etc. As it will remain close to the body, it will protect the wearer from negative energy. It can be worn with other crystals as well. A few other crystals that go well with Black tourmaline are Amethyst, Hematite, Clear Quartz, Pink tourmaline, Green tourmaline, Agate, Kyanite, Fluorite, and Rose Quartz.

Black tourmaline can also be used inside one’s house and office to protect from EMFs. 4 small crystals can be placed in the form of a grid to keep negative energy from entering the space.

Should Black Tourmaline be Cleansed? 

Like any other healing crystal, Black tourmaline too needs cleansing. You must purify your crystal when it first reaches you to be sure any negative energy is neutralized. While some people believe that Black tourmaline has the power to energetically cleanse itself, the crystal should still be cleansed from time to time. If you use it every day, be sure to clean it regularly. Black tourmaline crystals that are left near EMFs for protection should also be cleaned often.

Can Black Tourmaline Go in Water?

The toughness of Black tourmaline crystal ranges from 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. It is hard and usually considered safe inside water. Its safety, however, depends on the type of water it is submerged in. If the water is rich in mineral content, the tourmaline crystal may start dissolving. It might slowly develop cracks and lose its shine.

Freshwater sources such as rivers, streams, etc. are safer while submerging the crystal under saltwater or rainwater can be a bit risky.

If you want to use water to cleanse your crystal, rinsing it thoroughly under running water for 1 to 2 minutes is enough. Submerging it underwater for a long duration is not needed. However, if the need to submerge it underwater arises, use filtered water and make sure it does not contain a lot of minerals.

Read more: How To Cleanse Amethyst?

Properties of Water and Black Tourmaline together

Water and Black tourmaline complement each other well. While water is an excellent method to cleanse the crystal energetically and drive negative energy away from it, Black tourmaline can charge the water and enhance its energy.

Water helps in balancing the properties of Black tourmaline. It helps in regulating the energy of the stone and adjusting it with the energy of the wearer. If you are an empath and want to protect your energy from being overly sensitive, use water with Black tourmaline to regulate your emotional flow.

Water helps in enhancing the vibration of Black tourmaline crystals. It is extremely helpful during times when a person is feeling very low, unenergetic, or in a sour mood. It can help in uplifting us spiritually and boosting our morale.

Black tourmaline water can also be used to water plants. A bowl can be filled with filtered water and the black tourmaline crystals can be left submerged under it for a duration of 1 to 4 hours. When the time is over, the crystals should be taken out of the bowl and the water can be stored in a bottle.

Once this step is complete, the plants can be watered. The water can also be stored in a spray bottle so that it can be sprayed to mist the plants. The use of Black tourmaline water is a great way to boost plant energy.

How to Cleanse Black Tourmaline?

Water is considered a very effective method used to cleanse Black tourmaline crystals. However, if you do not wish to use water, other methods can be followed.

1) Smoke

Smoke is almost as effective as water. Smoke collects negative energy from the crystal and transforms it into universal energy, sending it back to its original source.

Smoke from a sage plant, incense, or resins such as myrrh and frankincense can be used. The crystal should be run through the smoke emerging from them, and the individual should imagine that all the negative energy present in it is being collected and transmuted back to universal consciousness.

2) Rice

Black tourmaline crystals can be put on a bed of rice so that their original vibration is restored.

3) Sound

Black tourmaline naturally has a high vibration. It should be periodically purified and charged. Sound from a tuning fork of the right frequency can drive negative energy away and help in restoring and enhancing the vibration of the crystal. 

4) Sunlight

Like most other crystals, Black tourmaline too can be energetically cleansed with the help of sunlight. One need not keep it exposed to sun rays for a long duration. 1 to 2 hours is enough to drive off negative energy and revitalize your tourmaline crystal. Too much heat and light can potentially damage the crystal. 

5) Starlight

Starlight is a safe way to cleanse Black tourmaline crystals as there is no risk of potential damage caused by excessive heat and light. The crystals can be left on a windowsill for the entire night so that the natural light is soaked by them. Starlight is an excellent way to cleanse tourmaline crystals naturally and balance their energy and effects.

6) Earth

Burying the crystals in the ground is also an effective way of cleansing them. Black tourmaline is a grounding stone. Therefore it connects well with nature. Placing Black tourmaline crystals directly in the ground ensures that the negative energy they contain is completely absorbed by the Earth.

Black tourmaline works harmoniously with the energy of Mother Earth. It is energetically charged and gains purifying and protecting abilities when it comes in contact with Earth’s energy. One can leave their crystals buried inside the ground for as long as one desires.  When it is felt that the crystals are completely purified and charged, they can be retrieved.

Read more: What Crystals Can Go In Water?

Method to Amplify Black Tourmaline’s Energy with Water

Water and Tourmaline can be blended to form a tourmaline Elixir which can be stored and sprayed to purify the aura.

Materials required

• Black tourmaline crystals,
• A glass mason jar,
• A spray bottle,
• Essential oils (optional).

Place the tourmaline crystals inside the glass mason jar and fill it to the brim with water. Be sure to use filtered water.

If you want that the vibration of your aura to be raised, put the jar near a sunny window for a duration of 4 to 8 hours. 

If you want to add protection to your aura, keep the jar under the full moon overnight.

Once the water is charged, it can be transferred into a spray bottle. To amplify the effects of the water further, essential oils can be used.

Essential oils good for energizing aura

• Eucalyptus,
• Grapefruit,
• Rosemary,
• Bergamont.

Essential oils that are good for protecting the aura

• Rose,
• Basil,
• Sandalwood,
• Cedarwood.

How to Charge Black Tourmaline?

Once the Elixir is ready, it should be given a good shake and sprayed around the aura to enhance it. One can carry the bottle with them and use the water whenever the need is felt.

Does Black Tourmaline have any Negative Effects?

Yes, keeping a lot of Black Tourmaline crystals around you can have side effects. Depending too much on these crystals might lead to a feeling of heaviness.

People have also claimed to have experienced physical side effects of using Black tourmaline that include headache and nausea. This may however also happen due to unmatched sensitivity between the crystal and its owner.

How do I activate Black Tourmaline?

Activating Black tourmaline is a pretty simple process. After it reaches you, the first step is to cleanse it so that no negative energy is contained inside the crystal. Once this is done, be sure about your intentions and goals before holding the crystal.

No negative thoughts should be brought inside the mind. Remain calm and optimistic. When your intentions are clear, hold the crystal in the palm of your hand, close your eyes, and charge it with your energy.

Visualize your intentions and imagine them getting absorbed by the crystal. This way the Black tourmaline crystal will be charged with your energy.

Read more: How to Cleanse Crystals with Incense?

How Do I Make Sure that my Black Tourmaline Crystal is real?

There are a lot of ways to identify whether your Black tourmaline crystal is real. This crystal has a lot of unique features which make its identification easier.

1) It is hard and has multiple vertical lines on its uneven surface. While this feature does not guarantee that your crystal is real tourmaline, it is still an important fact and should be kept in mind during inspection.

2) Tourmaline crystals are formed from liquid and therefore they usually have inclusions. If your Black tourmaline crystal does not have any inclusions, there is a chance that it is not real.

3) Holding the stone in bright light and moving it around will allow you to inspect it from different angles. Pay attention to the color of your crystal. Real tourmaline crystals usually show a slight color change when exposed to light.

4) Black tourmaline has an incredibly hard surface that cannot be scratched or pierced easily. A sharp object such as a pointed needle can be used to test if your crystal is real tourmaline. If it leaves a scratch or pierces the surface, the material is not real tourmaline as its surface would otherwise have been left unaffected.