COMPARE GUIDE
Black Tourmaline (Schorl)VSMelanite Garnet
Side-by-side comparison of physical properties, fluorescence, and crystal system — to identify by observation.
- ◎ is higher in Melanite Garnet, giving a numerical distinguishing point.
- ◎ is higher in Melanite Garnet, giving a numerical distinguishing point.
Note: properties whose numeric ranges do not overlap are auto-extracted. Both are measurable with a refractometer or heavy-liquid bath.
| Property | A: Black Tourmaline (Schorl) | B: Melanite Garnet | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refractive index (RI) | 1.625–1.650 | 1.855–1.895 | B higher |
| Specific gravity (SG) | 3.10–3.20 | 3.70–3.90 | B higher |
| Mohs hardness | 7.0–7.5 | 6.5–7.0 | Overlap |
| Birefringence | 0.020 | — | — |
| Dispersion | — | — | — |
| Property | A: Black Tourmaline (Schorl) | B: Melanite Garnet |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal system | 三方晶系 | 等軸晶系 |
| Pleochroism | — | — |
| Chelsea filter | inert | — |
| UV (long-wave) | inert | — |
| UV (short-wave) | inert | inert |
◆Black tourmaline (schorl) is doubly refractive and shows pronounced longitudinal striations on prism faces; melanite is singly refractive (cubic system) with a typical garnet rhombic dodecahedron crystal habit.
Distinguishing tools
Tools that decide between Black Tourmaline (Schorl) and Melanite Garnet in practice.
Note: this page is auto-generated from published GIA / CGL reference values. Individual stones, treatments, and synthetics may fall outside these ranges. For a definitive identification, consult an accredited gem laboratory.