Common black gemstones:
* Onyx: A layered black chalcedony, often used in jewelry.
* Jet: A type of black lignite coal that is often polished and used for jewelry.
* Obsidian: A volcanic glass that can be black, brown, or green.
* Black Diamond: A rare and highly valuable type of diamond.
* Black Tourmaline: Also known as Schorl, it's a common black gemstone often used in grounding rituals.
* Black Sapphire: A variety of sapphire that can appear black due to inclusions or other factors.
* Black Spinel: Another black gemstone, sometimes mistaken for black diamonds.
Less common black gemstones:
* Morion (Smoky Quartz): A dark variety of quartz that can be nearly black.
* Hematite: A naturally occurring iron oxide that can be black, silver, or brown.
* Black Garnet: A rare variety of garnet that can be black, purple, or brown.
* Black Opal: A rare type of opal that exhibits a black body color with iridescent flashes of color.
So, the best way to identify a black gem is to look for its specific name or variety.