Why Is My Black Tourmaline Turning White? | Causes and Solutions

Almost 90% of tourmaline is found in their signature black color, making black tourmaline a particularly common borosilicate mineral.

Black tourmaline, also known as Schorl is a beautiful semi-precious stone that has been admired for generations due to its purported therapeutic and defensive powers.

However, there have been cases where black tourmaline has suddenly become white, prompting doubts and concerns. Find out what’s causing this, and how you can stop it.

Table of Contents

Natural Causes and Solutions

Source: Reddit

Black tourmaline encounters numerous natural elements that can influence its color and structure. These natural causes are often a result of environmental factors and the inherent characteristics of the mineral composition of the stone.

Iron Concentration and Moisture Interaction

The high iron content of black tourmaline can chemically react with moisture, causing powdery rust to build on the stone and give it a whitish look.

Keeping the stone dry for long periods will keep this natural phenomenon from happening.

Side Note: Cleaning the stone with saltwater or rainfall is not recommended, nor is exposing it to water for more than a minute or two.

Exposure to High Heat

Exposing black tourmaline to high heat sources can cause a change in its color, including turning white. This is due to thermal shock, which can even lead to the stone breaking into pieces.

To prevent this, avoid bringing the stone close to high heat sources and refrain from cleaning it with steam cleaners or ultrasonic devices.

Natural Aging Process

Over time, black tourmaline can undergo a natural aging process where it loses its deep black hue and turns white. This happens very slowly and is evidence of the stone’s long existence.

This cannot be avoided, but it should be viewed as a positive development that gives the stone a sense of age and character.

Oxidization, Tarnishing, and Rusting

Over time, some minerals naturally change in their appearance, a process that can affect black tourmaline as well. These changes can include tarnishing, which generally darkens the stone or even complete color transformation.

Factors such as exposure to water, including sweat when worn, can lead to the stone rusting, especially in the case of unpolished hematite.

Understanding that these transformations are a natural part of the stone’s life can help in appreciating its evolving beauty while taking steps to minimize unwanted changes.

Acquired Causes and Solutions

Once black tourmaline emerges from its natural habitat, it continues to interact with various elements, including those introduced through human intervention. These acquired causes stem from the conditions the stone is subjected to post its formation period.

Inclusions

Black tourmaline naturally contains inclusions, which are minerals that get inside other minerals. These impurities can both add to the stone’s aesthetic value and give it a white tinge.

Proper care and knowledge of the features of authentic black tourmaline, such as a vitreous sheen and an opaque texture, are necessary to preserve the stone’s original black color.

Structural Integrity

Due to tectonic events during or after its formation, black tourmaline can have a weak structure, making it vulnerable to pressure and impacts. This can result in the stone easily breaking and crumbling, sometimes turning white in the process.

To prevent this, handle the stone with care and avoid dropping it or putting it under pressure.

Improper Storage

Storing black tourmaline improperly can lead to it turning white over time. This may occur because of prolonged contact with toxic substances or because of excessive humidity.

Pro Tip: Keep the stone in a cool, dry area out of the reach of any chemicals or anything that might change its color to avoid this.

Water Cleansing

Water cleansing, a common practice for many crystal enthusiasts, can sometimes have adverse effects on minerals including black tourmaline.

While water can cleanse the stone, it can also damage it, causing some minerals to dissolve gradually, develop cracks, or undergo color changes. Particularly, saltwater poses a significant risk, known to alter crystals substantially.

Being aware of the potential risks of water cleansing can guide you in choosing safer methods to cleanse your black tourmaline without compromising its integrity.

Handling Delicate and Friable Crystals

Black tourmaline, especially in its raw and unpolished form, is known to be delicate and friable, meaning it can crumble easily, sometimes even shedding spontaneously.

Handling these crystals can sometimes result in powder or small pieces falling off, a phenomenon that might go unnoticed if the stones are carried in pockets or stored with other stones.

Recognizing the delicate nature of black tourmaline can encourage more careful handling, preserving its structure and appearance for a longer time.

Identifying Genuine Black Tourmaline

To ensure you are getting the full benefits of black tourmaline, it is crucial to be able to identify a genuine stone. Genuine black tourmaline has a hardness rating of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, making it quite solid and rigid.

Additionally, it should have an intense black shine, although exposure to bright artificial light may reveal brownish or reddish shades due to hematite inclusions.

The black tourmaline will not get scratched when rubbed with a steel blade.

Conclusion

Black tourmaline turning white can be a result of natural or acquired causes. The natural causes include iron concentration, long exposure to high heat, natural aging, as well as oxidation.

As for the acquired causes, your black tourmaline may change color due to inclusions, structural integrity, improper handling and storage, and water cleaning.