Mesquite is said to bring about perspective. While many consider the mesquite an invasive weed, for centuries it was a vital asset for resourceful indigenous people.

Long before the first Anglo settlers came to Texas, Native Americans used mesquite in its entirety, seeing it as an integral part of their culture & survival. The wood and fibers were used to make shelter, tools, weapons, and kindling. They made sewing and tattoo needles from the thorns and used the inner bark to make baskets, nets, rope, & fabric. Due to its reliability, even during years of drought, the mesquite bean was a valuable commodity that was directly eaten or ground into flour. Even the gum was used as a glue, dye, or used in water-proofing baskets or nets.

Tourmaline has been around since Medieval times, but it wasn’t until the late 1800s, when mineralogist George Kunz sold Tourmaline to Tiffany & Co., that it gained popularity.

Before it made a name for itself in popular culture, the power of Black Tourmaline was known only to those who worked with it. Many shaman of tribes carried Tourmaline to protect themselves from danger.

In the 18th century, Dutch traders discovered another unique attribute of Black Tourmaline. Rubbing Black Tourmaline quickly causes the stone to become electrically charged—with a positive charge on one end of the stone and negative charge on the other end. After making this discovery, the traders used the positively charged Black Tourmaline to collect the dust from their Meerschaum pipes.

Black Tourmaline is still highly regarded as a powerful cloak of protection that eliminates unwanted energies and entities and repels supernatural forces in the modern spiritual world. Also, the stone is used as a purification item that guards users against radiation and shifts negative thoughts into a positive one.