Schorl

This sample of schorl is displayed in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Schorl is a silicate mineral which contains boron, so is sometimes classed as a borosilicate. It is described as an iron-rich member of the tourmaline family. It has the composition NaFe₃Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄. It has five of the big-8 elements of the Earth's crust. This sample is about 9x15 cm and is from Mechanic Falls, Maine.

This sample is described as schorl with microcline and quartz. It is about 7x7 cm and is from Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico.

This sample is described as quartz with schorl inclusions. The black schorl is highly visible in the clear quartz. The sample is about 15x10 cm and is from Switzerland.

This sample is described as elbaite with shorl and quartz. It is about 10x10 cm and is from Elba, Toscana, Italy. Both elbaite and shorl are of the tourmaline family. Here the dark shorl is a minor presence.

This sample is described as spessartine with schorl, albite and quartz. It is about 12x15 cm and is from Hercules mine, Ramona, California.This locality is known for gem-quality orange spessartine, a garnet mineral rich in manganese. The black shorl shows up in dramatic contrast.