It is a variety of Quartz that can be anywhere from opaque milky white to optically transparent or clear, with naturally occurring fine needle-like inclusions of Black Tourmaline.
Tourmaline is crystalline boron silicate mineral. Tourmaline gemstones are found in a very wide variety of over 100 different hues or colors.
Black Tourmaline is also known as Schorl.
The name Tourmaline comes from the Sinhalese word turmali, meaning mixed, due to it often being confused with other gemstones.
Tourmalinated Quartz was formed due to high temperatures and pressure. The Quartz and Tourmaline minerals were in a liquid state and therefore able to mix. As these temperatures cool and the pressure drops, the Tourmaline needles were trapped inside the Quartz.
Though found all over the world, most Tourmalinated Quartz, and our lapidary cabochon material, is mined in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Cabochons from Tourmalinated Quartz have a hardness of 7 and wear very well.
Metaphysical Properties of Tourmaline Quartz Cabochons:
Tourmalinated Quartz facilitates clear thinking. It is said to help people stay on a spiritual path, especially those who have indulged in negative behaviors.
To see other Included Quartz cabochons: Included Quartz Cabochons, Rutilated Quartz Cabochons or Star Rutilated Quartz Cabochons