Black tourmaline is a unique and popular gemstone that has long been associated with protection, grounding, and balance. It’s no wonder that so many people are interested in purchasing black tourmaline for their jewelry to experience its healing properties! However, since there are a lot of imitations on the market, it’s important to know how to tell if black tourmaline is real. Let’s take a look at some common ways to spot a fake.
Look at the Color
Real black tourmaline has an intense black color with few or no visible inclusions. Imitations will often have gray or brown spots or streaks as well as other colors mixed in. If you see any hints of color besides black, then it’s likely not genuine black tourmaline.
Hardness of Black Tourmaline
Real black tourmaline is quite hard and durable; it rates 7-7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. If you can scratch it with your fingernail, then it is probably not genuine black tourmaline. Other gemstones may be softer than real black tourmaline and therefore easier to scratch, so this test can help you identify a fake stone from a genuine one.
Magnetic Properties of Black Tourmaline
Black tourmaline contains iron and can be attracted by magnets. If your stone doesn’t move when placed near a magnet, then it might be an imitation made from other materials such as glass or plastic.
How to Wear Black Tourmaline
If you want to take advantage of the health benefits of black tourmaline, the elongated crystal structure provides a great opportunity to add the stone to a pendant to wear around your neck. Black tourmaline can also be worn in rings which often grab the attention of bystanders.
Authentic black tourmaline should have an intense black color with few or no visible inclusions, rate 7-7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, and display weak magnetic properties when placed near a magnet. For those looking to purchase real black tourmaline for its metaphysical properties, knowing how to tell if it’s genuine is key! These simple tips should help you make sure that what you’re buying is the real deal – so happy shopping!