Pendant with schorl

Scherle is the most common variety of the mineral tourmaline, captivating with its deep, rich black color. This complex borosilicate of sodium, iron, and aluminum crystallizes in the trigonal system, often forming characteristic elongated prismatic crystals with clear longitudinal hatching on the faces. As a rule, scherle is opaque, with a pronounced glassy luster, although thin fragments can be translucent. Scherle is a fairly common mineral that occurs in granite pegmatites, metamorphic rocks, and some hydrothermal veins around the world.

Significant deposits are found in Brazil, Pakistan, Afghanistan, the United States (California, Maine), Madagascar, and in African countries. In Ukraine, scherle crystals are found, in particular, in the Volyn deposit of chamber pegmatites. Due to its hardness (7-7.5 on the Mohs scale) and attractive black color, sherlite is used in jewelry, mainly for making cabochons, beads or as decorative inserts.

However, it is of particular value to mineral collectors, who appreciate it for the perfection of its crystalline forms and classic black color. Historically, sherlite has been attributed with protective properties and the ability to ground. This stone is believed to promote concentration and stability. It also has piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties: when heated or compressed, sherlite crystals generate an electric charge, which is of scientific interest and has some technical applications.

Sherlite is not only a beautiful natural mineral, but also a popular collector's item and a material for creating unique jewelry, combining aesthetic appeal with interesting physical properties.