Many of the grounding/protective stones get used interchangeably, and from one perspective it makes sense because there are overlapping properties; however the subtle differences can be very helpful when putting them to use. 

When I was relatively new to working with crystals, a conversation with a fellow empath gave me some clarity on when I’d choose Black Tourmaline versus when it would be best to choose Smoky Quartz. We were talking about how as empaths we tend to absorb others’ energy. We then have to transmute that energy, or it has the potential to weigh us down. Suddenly, I realized that was like Smoky Quartz, which isn’t afraid to take on the ick because it then transmutes it. Essentially, a healthy empath can be like a human smoky quartz. 

On the other hand, Black Tourmaline is like someone with really good boundaries. Black Tourmaline is protective. It says, “that’s your bad energy, not mine, so keep it over there.” This stone can be particularly helpful for empaths who have a habit of taking on too much from everyone else that they find themselves bogged down in it. In this case, Black Tourmaline is a bit like a mama bear protecting her cub – anything that’s a would-be threat tends to keep its distance because she shields her little ones from harm. 

Being intentional with these two stones can be very helpful (for anyone, but especially empaths). Since I’m an empath, I’ll share a couple examples and share what I’d choose and why. 

Example 1: If I’m spending time with someone who has just lost a loved one, I know I’m likely going to help them carry their grief. So I’ll have my Smoky Quartz. I’ll intentionally picture myself helping them draw off any low energy and sending it into the earth to be transmuted. In the same way you can use the charcoal packs to absorb scents and then sunshine recharges them, our smoky quartz will help us draw off noxious energy, and transmutes it (i.e. shift it from low vibration to high vibration). 

Example 2: If I’m entering a situation with someone who likes to disrespect my boundaries, I’ll choose Black Tourmaline. I don’t want to take on their drama. I like to intentionally picture a force field surrounding me keeping my energy in and their energy out, and I picture black tourmaline strengthening and underscoring that boundary/separation. (As a note, I also might couple the black tourmaline with an Obsidian for good measure since it’s the “no BS” stone and will help cut through someone’s crap to give clarity). 

You can still help transmute energy without taking it on, but by simply meeting it with a higher vibration. For those who grew up with the Bible an example would be: “a gentle word turns away wrath” (Prov 15:1), that is classic transmuting. You’re taking low vibration energy and raising it by meeting it with a higher vibration. The key point here is you won’t transmute it by staying in the same energy. So anger won’t shift someone else’s anger, it will only amplify it. 

But this is a larger topic for another post! The point for this discussion is simply that Black Tourmaline can support you as you hold your space rather than being drawn in and getting triggered, which often results in our energy being brought down. So as we focus on holding our own energy and allowing black tourmaline to support us in not taking on someone else’s drama, we’re able to safely navigate and in some cases successfully transmute as well. 

So in closing, there’s many wonderful grounding/transmuting/protective stones available for use, but understanding the subtleties can be helpful when putting them into use. 

I’ll end by saying, in all things be led by your intuition. Source often directs us for reasons we won’t understand until later, so while all this information is good and helpful, resist the urge to simply be led by *knowledge* and instead allow your intuition to lead and guide.