What is the difference between black tourmaline and obsidian? A quick guide to tell them apart

Black tourmaline is a dark to pure black opaque variety of tourmaline, usually an iron-rich or titanium-rich variety. Obsidian is a common black gemstone, a mineral crystal of volcanic origin, also known as dragon glass, tokachi stone, etc. It is a naturally formed silicon dioxide. Let's take a look below at what the differences between black tourmaline and obsidian are!

The difference in composition between black tourmaline and obsidian

1. Black tourmaline: Black tourmaline is a member of the tourmaline minerals; it is essentially an iron-rich black schorl, a complex borate, belonging to the crystal minerals, often found in the contact zones of granite, as well as in crystalline schist, gneiss and phyllite affected by pneumatolytic agents.

2. Obsidian: Obsidian is formed when magma flowing from volcanic lava suddenly cools in water. The magma at the outer edge of the lava flow meets seawater and rapidly cools and solidifies; the crystal structure does not have enough time to grow, and the magma, after rapid cooling, forms a kind of natural glass. It belongs to the non-crystalline gemstone category, and its main component is silicon dioxide.

The difference in function between black tourmaline and obsidian

1. Black tourmaline: Black tourmaline has piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties. When heated by friction or sunlight, it produces a ring of magnetic field that attracts surrounding dust or debris. Therefore, it is often processed into crafts, such as black tourmaline bracelets, black tourmaline pendants, etc.

2. Obsidian: Obsidian can be processed into crafts. Because it has glass-like properties, its fracture surface after breaking is a conchoidal fracture and is very sharp. In ancient Stone Age times it was used as knives, arrowheads and other cutting tools, and modern people use obsidian to make blades for surgical scalpels.

The difference in benefits between black tourmaline and obsidian

1. Black tourmaline: The magnetic field produced by black tourmaline can promote metabolism by influencing the water molecules in human cells. The tiny magnetic field it produces can also regulate the wearer's human bioelectricity, restoring normal bioelectricity that has been disrupted by local pathological changes in the wearer's body, thereby keeping the wearer's body healthy. Finally, the magnetic field of black tourmaline can also protect against conditions such as irritability and insomnia caused by electromagnetic waves in modern society, while helping the wearer become immune to harmful radiation.

2. Obsidian: Obsidian is extremely effective at warding off evil and can dissolve negative energy. Among ancient Chinese Buddhist artifacts, there are quite a number of obsidian sacred objects or Buddha statues for guarding the home or warding off evil. Because it has strong and pure energy, it can be placed in places with heavy evil energy, and can even be made into obsidian Buddha statues, with even better effects for warding off evil and blocking evil energy. It is also the best gemstone for offerings to the Buddha, practice and giving.

Summary: The biggest similarity between obsidian and black tourmaline is that both are black, but obsidian usually has a rainbow-eye effect, while black tourmaline is pure black and shiny, whereas obsidian is black but not shiny and has a dull, dark hue.