Black tourmaline has both rough and smooth surfaces, jagged edges, and scattered areas of white debris to break up the darkness. The stone is a crystal that is used as a source of protection against destructive forces. This particular piece of black tourmaline was a gift from my mother. My mom and I share a lot of things including our love for coffee, Gilmore Girls, and making a mess in the studio. We have developed an understanding of each other that goes beyond something I can describe in words. Everything that we go through we do it together. Just like the stone, although there may be rocky patches, we have become each other’s source of protection against destructive forces. She is my person. – Taryn Pizza