Tourmaline Sherl

Tourmaline Sherl is a natural black mineral pigment powder ground from schorl, the black, iron-rich tourmaline; the name Sherl follows the Russian spelling of schorl. Finely ground, it gives soft, semi-transparent gray-blacks with a greenish or brownish cast, a rare mineral black for glazes and subtle grays in oil, egg tempera, watercolor, gouache and acrylic.

Key facts

• Color: gray-black with a greenish or brownish cast
• Pigment type: Natural mineral pigment
• Composition: schorl, a sodium iron aluminum borosilicate of the tourmaline group, NaFe²⁺₃Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄
• Also known as: schorl, black tourmaline
• Opacity: semi-transparent
• Lightfastness: 8 of 8 on the Blue Wool Scale (supplier data)
• Chemical resistance: alkali 5/5, lime 5/5, acid 5/5 (supplier data, 5 = best)
• Suitable for: oil, acrylic, egg tempera, watercolor, gouache
• Packaging: 25 g jar · 1 kg bag

How to use

The powder is ground to about 25 µm (supplier data). Schorl is hard (about 7 on the Mohs scale) but brittle, so it disperses well with a palette knife or muller in linseed oil, egg yolk, gum arabic or acrylic medium. Use it thinly as a dark, semi-transparent glaze, or mix it with white for quiet mineral grays. As a natural silicate it is rated fully resistant to light, acids and alkalis by the supplier.

About schorl

Schorl is the most common tourmaline, the sodium and iron member of the group, and may make up 95% or more of all tourmaline in nature. The name was in use before 1400: the Saxon village now called Zschorlau was then known as Schorl, and black tourmaline was found at its tin mine. Johannes Mathesius described it as schürl in 1562. Tourmaline crystals are pyroelectric and piezoelectric.

Safety

Handle dry pigment with care: avoid breathing the dust and contact with eyes. Wear a dust mask (FFP2/N95) and gloves when working with the powder, work in a well-ventilated area and wipe up spills with a damp cloth. Do not eat, drink or smoke while working; wash your hands afterwards. Keep away from children and pets. For artistic and technical use only — not for cosmetics, food or tattoos.

FAQ

What does Sherl mean?

It is the Russian spelling of schorl, the black iron-rich tourmaline. Our pigment is ground schorl, also called black tourmaline.

Is Tourmaline Sherl a deep black?

No. Finely ground schorl is lighter than the black crystals, so it gives soft, semi-transparent gray-blacks with a greenish or brownish cast rather than a dense, opaque black.

Is tourmaline pigment lightfast?

Yes. It is rated 8 of 8 on the Blue Wool Scale and 5 of 5 for acid, alkali and lime resistance (supplier data).