But, the iron in buergerite is different than in schorl. This makes buergerite a rather unusual tourmaline. Despite all of this chemical mayhem, buergerite still retains its tourmaline structure and most of the typical tourmaline characteristics. Color is dark brown. Luster is vitreous.
Crystals are translucent to opaque.
The terminations can be either a simple to complex trigonal pyramid or a flat basal face. The prism faces are striated lengthwise. In cross section, all tourmalines will appear predominantly triangular in shape with some crystals showing a hexagon. Doubly terminated crystals are hemimorphic meaning that the two ends of the crystal are not exactly alike. Massive specimens can also be found.