Black Tourmaline

The Joules & Joules Black Tourmaline Oil Stick is produced from the micronization of black tourmaline, a natural mineral sourced from the region of Coronel Murta, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The formulation includes beeswax and carnauba wax, providing fast drying on the outer film while keeping the interior firm and creamy. The resulting pigment yields a greenish dark gray, matte and transparent, with low tinting strength and delicate covering power—ideal for the gradual construction of shadows and subtle glazes.

Black tourmaline is a complex aluminum borosilicate (Na₃Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)), with medium to fine particle size, classified as Lightfastness I and offering excellent physicochemical stability. Its granular texture produces natural mineral effects and refined control during application, making it suitable for backgrounds, glazes, and neutral or cool tonal nuances.

Historically, black tourmaline has been valued for its hardness, stability, and chromatic variations ranging from greenish gray to near black, depending on the deposit. In an artistic context, the pigment provides unique mineral tones for oil, acrylic, and ceramic painting, allowing for subtlety, depth, and chromatic fidelity. In Brazil, deposits in Minas Gerais are recognized for the purity and chromatic consistency of black tourmaline, ensuring reliable natural pigments for artistic and industrial applications.

Pigment Classification Natural Inorganic Pigment

Chemical Composition Complex Aluminum Borosilicate – Na₃Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)

Color Index –

Binder Cold-Pressed Linseed Oil and Cold-Pressed Safflower Oil

Stabilizers Beeswax and Carnauba Wax

Transparency / Opacity Transparent

Lightfastness I (Excellent)

Tinting Strength Low

Drying Time Medium (for more information, please visit our website)

Notes Excellent permanence in all media.

Toxicity Not considered toxic; however, ingestion, contact with eyes, and prolonged skin contact should be avoided.

MSDS (Safety Data Sheet) Available on the website here.

Series 3

Availability 16 ml and 80 ml oil sticks.