The branches of this tree carry 200 black tourmaline stones. They are irregular in shape, with fine grooves across their surface. Twisted gold-coloured wire holds them, with warm LED lights in between. A glass dome covers the foot of the tree, which is strewn with dark stone chips, and below sits a round dark brown base. Made in India.
Black stones, gold branches
By day the tree is black and gold, a rather striking piece. In the evening, with the LEDs on, the warm light catches the grooves and edges of the stones, and the gold wire stands out more clearly. It looks especially good in a modern room with pale walls.
The ash-puller stone
Black tourmaline is the most common kind of tourmaline. Tourmaline has an unusual property: when it is warmed or rubbed, it becomes electrically charged. Dutch traders in the 18th century called it aschentrekker, the ash-puller, because they used the warmed stone to draw ash out of their pipes.
Black tourmaline is said to be a protective stone. If you follow that tradition, place the tree in the hallway or near the front door.
The lights and the dome
The LEDs connect with a USB cable, and the socket is on the front of the base. You will need to get the cable yourself, as none is included. With the dome, the tree weighs about 1.2 kg and measures 24.5 cm in height and 16 cm across. Under the dome, no dust settles in the grooves of the stones.
The stones differ in shape and in the pattern of their grooves, and the branches are bent by hand, so this tree will not look exactly like the photo either.