Black Tourmaline, known mineralogically as Schorl, is the rare stone whose famous claims are mostly false and whose real properties are more interesting than the marketing. It genuinely generates electricity when heated or squeezed — a documented physical effect that put tourmaline in Second World War blast pressure gauges — and it genuinely does not shield you from EMF, which has been tested and found not to work. Prices run from roughly ₹150 per carat for commercial polished material to ₹900 and above for faceted, individually lab-reported stones. This guide covers the mineralogy, what the science does and does not support, how to tell Schorl from onyx, obsidian, spinel and glass, what it costs by form, and the Vastu and Jyotish traditions attached to it.
Scientific foundation: what makes Black Tourmaline unique
Black Tourmaline belongs to the tourmaline mineral group and is an idiochromatic species with the chemical formula NaFe²⁺₃Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄. Its jet-black, opaque color is a fundamental characteristic of its composition, caused by high concentrations of divalent iron (Fe²⁺) at the Y-site positions of its crystal lattice. Fe²⁺–Fe³⁺ charge-transfer interactions absorb light far more strongly than isolated iron atoms do, which is why Schorl is completely opaque. It does not show transparency or translucency, even at thin edges — a point worth remembering, because it separates real Schorl from several of the stones sold in its place.
The mineral crystallizes in the trigonal crystal system within the non-centrosymmetric space group R3m. That missing centre of symmetry is the whole story: it is what gives tourmaline a permanent electrical polarity, one end of the crystal behaving differently from the other. Physically it forms three-sided (ditrigonal) prisms with prominent vertical striations, or grooves, running the length of the crystal. Those striations are the single most useful identification feature Schorl has.
Physical properties at a glance
Black Tourmaline (Schorl) Properties
| Property | Value | Significance |
| Mohs Hardness | 7-7.5 | Durable enough for daily jewelry wear |
| Specific Gravity | 3.02-3.26 | Noticeably heavier than imitations (glass, obsidian) |
| Refractive Index | 1.624-1.644 (Birefringence ~0.020) | Useful for professional laboratory verification |
| Crystal System | Trigonal, space group R3m | Asymmetric structure creates signature electrical properties |
| Luster | Vitreous to submetallic | Glass-like to metallic shine indicates authenticity |
| Transparency | Always opaque | Never transparent or translucent |
Black Tourmaline forms in volatile-rich granite pegmatites and metamorphic schists during late-stage hydrothermal crystallization. Miarolitic gem-bearing pegmatites typically form at temperature ranges between 350°C and 475°C, where boron-rich fluids allow massive, well-formed crystals to grow. Approximately 95% of all tourmaline found in nature is Schorl, which is exactly why it is priced as it is: the black variety is the common one, and the pinks, greens and Paraíba blues that command four-figure per-carat prices are the exceptions. Tourmaline is also one of the two birthstones for October, alongside opal.
Pyroelectricity and piezoelectricity: the real science
Due to its non-centrosymmetric crystal structure, tourmaline is both pyroelectric and piezoelectric. It was the first natural pyroelectric material ever described, recorded over 2,300 years ago by the Greek philosopher Theophrastus. In the 18th century Dutch traders noticed the same effect in Ceylonese tourmaline and called the crystals Aschentrekker, or ash pullers, because a warmed crystal would draw the ash out of a tobacco pipe.
The piezoelectric effect — generating an electrical charge under mechanical pressure — was demonstrated in tourmaline in 1880 by Pierre and Jacques Curie, using little more than a jeweller’s saw and a foil electrometer. Squeeze the crystal along its axis and a measurable charge appears. This is not a metaphysical claim; it is the reason tourmaline was used in blast pressure gauges during the Second World War to measure shock waves from explosions, as recorded in United States Department of Energy documents. Keep this in mind when you reach the EMF section below: the physics is real, and it still does not do what the crystals-for-wifi market says it does.
Origins, quality, and what drives pricing
Major global sources
Brazil dominates global Schorl production, with the Minas Gerais region — around the Governador Valadares, Cruzeiro and Pederneira mines — producing large, lustrous crystals. Brazilian Schorl is the industry reference for crystal habit and size.
African deposits are equally significant. Madagascar’s Sahatany Valley yields exceptional specimens, while Namibia’s Erongo and Tsumeb regions produce sharply formed, highly lustrous crystals. Mozambique’s Nampula Province, Nigeria and Tanzania are also major suppliers.
Afghanistan and Pakistan: the Paprok Valley in Nuristan yields collector-grade crystals, traded mostly through Peshawar.
Does India have Black Tourmaline deposits?
Yes, India has multiple documented deposits of Black Tourmaline, though it is not a major commercial exporter. Notable domestic occurrences mapped by the Geological Survey of India include:
- Rajasthan: found as an accessory mineral in the pegmatite belts of the Ajmer and Bhilwara districts.
- Odisha: occurs in pegmatites around the Malkangiri district.
- Andhra Pradesh: located in pegmatites near Puttirol.
- Karnataka: mapped within the ancient Chitradurga greenstone belt.
What Black Tourmaline costs by form (2026)
Black Tourmaline is one of the best-value stones in the semi-precious trade, but the phrase “black tourmaline price” covers products that have almost nothing in common. A kilo of mixed rough and a single faceted stone with its own laboratory report are not the same purchase, and comparing their per-unit rates tells you nothing. Work out which form you actually want first, then compare within that form.
Black Tourmaline Prices by Form, Indian Market 2026
| Product Type | Quality / Specs | Price Range (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Cut & Polished (Per Carat) | Commercial grade, machine-polished, sold in parcels | ₹150 – ₹250 (US$1.70 – $2.90) |
| Cut & Polished (Per Carat) | Cabochon, hand-polished, no report | ₹250 – ₹450 (US$2.90 – $5.20) |
| Cut & Polished (Per Carat) | Faceted single stone, individually lab-reported | ₹550 – ₹900 (US$6.30 – $10.30) |
| Raw Crystals (Per Kilogram) | Bulk mixed-grade rough, bought by the sack | ₹1,000 – ₹5,000 (US$11 – $57) |
| Raw Crystals (Per Kilogram) | Hand-picked specimen rough, African or Brazilian | ₹10,000 – ₹30,000 (US$115 – $345) |
| Tumbled Stones | Pack of 3 polished tumbles | ₹399 – ₹499 |
| Tourmaline Pyramid | 2-inch polished Vastu pyramid | ₹349 – ₹399 |
| Tourmaline Bracelet | 8mm polished beads (standard) | ₹550 – ₹899 |
| Certified Premium Bracelet | 8mm beads (lab-certified original) | ₹1,349 |
| Tourmaline Pendant | Raw crystal or polished cabochon | ₹399 – ₹499 |
The gap between wholesale and retail is not simply margin. A wholesale parcel is sold unsorted and unreported, by weight, with no route back if a stone turns out to be something else — the buyer is expected to know what they are looking at, and there is no recourse if they don’t. A retail stone at a higher per-carat rate is usually carrying a laboratory report, its own photographs, a stated weight and a return policy. Work out which of those you need before comparing rates, because a low per-carat figure with none of them attached is not the same product.
Factors affecting price
Unlike Paraíba or Rubellite tourmalines, Black Tourmaline carries no significant origin premium—Schorl is abundant worldwide. Price primarily reflects form (faceted > cabochon > tumbled > raw), size (prices increase significantly above 5 carats), surface quality, and certification status. Lab-certified stones command 10-30% premiums over uncertified material.
How to identify authentic Black Tourmaline
The five-step home authentication test
Step 1 – Weight test: Black Tourmaline should feel noticeably heavy for its size. Specific gravity of 3.02-3.26 means it’s significantly denser than glass (2.4-2.8), plastic, or obsidian (2.35-2.60).
Step 2 – Striation check: Raw and cabochon specimens should display parallel vertical grooves (striations) running along the crystal length. These characteristic lines form during crystal growth and are absent in glass or plastic imitations.
Step 3 – Hardness: at Mohs 7 to 7.5, Schorl cannot be scratched by a steel blade, which sits around 5.5. This is one of the few gems where a hardness check is genuinely decisive, because every common imitation is softer than steel while tourmaline is not — glass at about 5.5, obsidian at 5 to 5.5. If you use the test at all, use it on an inconspicuous back surface of a loose stone, and never on a stone already in a setting.
Step 4 – The pyroelectric test, done safely: warm the stone gently — a few minutes closed in your palm, in a patch of sunlight, or in warm water — then let it cool for a minute and hold it near a few specks of torn tissue paper or ash. A genuine tourmaline builds a small charge as its temperature changes and will lift them; glass and plastic will not. Two cautions. Do not heat the stone near a flame. Schorl is brittle and carries microscopic fluid inclusions, and thermal shock can fracture it — the same reason ultrasonic cleaners are ruled out later in this guide. And be realistic about the result: the effect is obvious on a raw crystal and often too weak to see on a small polished stone, so nothing shows means nothing proved.
Step 5 – Edges and surface: Schorl is opaque all the way through. Hold it against a bright torch and look at the thinnest edge — real Schorl stays black, while obsidian and most black glass glow faintly at the rim. Under magnification, look for the vertical striations described above, and for the vitreous to submetallic sheen. One thing that is not a warning sign is an even, uniform jet black. Tourmaline is idiochromatic, meaning the colour comes from iron built into its own crystal structure rather than from any dye or treatment, so a clean uniform black is exactly what good Schorl looks like. There is also no synthetic black tourmaline made for the gem trade — the natural material is far too abundant, and within reach at too modest a price, to be worth growing in a laboratory. What you are guarding against is not synthesis but substitution: glass, plastic, obsidian, dyed onyx and black spinel.
Professional verification
A laboratory settles the question in minutes using refractive index, specific gravity and spectroscopy (FTIR or Raman). For a stone at this price point the sensible standard is a report from an ISO 9001:2015-certified laboratory confirming the material as natural tourmaline — that is what identifies the stone and rules out the substitutes above. In India the established names include IGI-GTL in Delhi, the Gemmological Institute of India in Mumbai, and SGL Labs; internationally, GIA reports carry the widest recognition, though for a stone worth a few thousand rupees the report can easily cost more than the gem.
Distinguishing from similar black stones
Black Tourmaline vs Black Onyx: Onyx lacks striations (may show banding instead), feels lighter (SG 2.55-2.7), displays waxy rather than vitreous luster, and shows no pyroelectric effect. Much commercial “black onyx” is actually dyed agate.
Black Tourmaline vs Black Obsidian: Obsidian is volcanic glass—significantly softer (Mohs 5-5.5), lighter weight, and shows characteristic conchoidal fracture with curved, shell-like surfaces. Under magnification, thin obsidian edges may show translucency; tourmaline never does.
Black Tourmaline vs Black Spinel: Spinel is harder (Mohs 8), heavier (SG 3.58-3.61), and displays higher brilliance when faceted. Under directional sunlight, black spinel may reveal subtle blue or purple undertones. Spinel commands higher prices due to greater rarity.
Black Tourmaline vs Shungite: Shungite comes exclusively from Russia’s Karelia region, is much softer (Mohs 3.5-4), non-crystalline, and composed of 98% carbon. It lacks tourmaline’s striations and crystal structure.
EMF protection claims: separating science from marketing
Black Tourmaline is sold worldwide as protection against electromagnetic radiation from phones, routers and computers. If that is why you are considering it, this section is the one to read first. It is also the section most sellers leave out.
What science actually confirms
Tourmaline’s pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties are real and well-documented. When heated or cooled, or when subjected to mechanical pressure, tourmaline crystals generate measurable electrical charges. These properties enabled legitimate scientific applications—tourmaline pressure gauges detected blast waves during World War II, documented in U.S. Department of Energy records.
Tourmaline can generate negative ions, but with critical limitations: it requires thermal cycling or mechanical stimulation to activate. A passive crystal sitting at room temperature produces minimal ion emission. Japanese research measured tourmaline’s constant weak charge at approximately 0.06mA—far below therapeutically significant levels.
What science does not support
EMF protection claims have been directly tested and debunked. Researchers at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute and Royal Institute of Technology tested numerous crystal-based “EMF protection” products: “We tested a huge number of stickers you would put on your phone of crystals… No one ever proved to do what they claimed to do. They just don’t work.”
The physics make the claims implausible: a small crystal cannot absorb radiation that doesn’t strike it directly. To actually block electromagnetic fields requires Faraday cage principles—conductive materials fully enclosing the radiation source. The tiny charges tourmaline produces are insufficient to affect room-scale electromagnetic fields. “EMF harmonization” is not a scientifically meaningful concept.
A balanced perspective
Black Tourmaline’s genuine electrical properties are fascinating from a physics standpoint and contributed to its reputation across cultures. If the stone provides psychological comfort or you appreciate its mineralogical properties, there’s no harm in ownership. However, it should not replace evidence-based EMF reduction strategies such as maintaining distance from devices or limiting screen time. Marketing claims about radiation protection remain unsupported by scientific evidence.
Vastu Shastra and Vedic astrology applications
The following represents traditional beliefs and cultural practices. This information is shared for educational purposes about Indian cultural traditions—not as claims of fact or medical advice.
Vastu placement guidelines
According to Vastu Shastra practitioners, Black Tourmaline is considered one of the most powerful protective crystals for homes. Traditional placement recommendations include:
Primary placements: The Southwest corner is recommended for grounding, family stability, and protection. Placing the stone near the main entrance (on either side or just above the doorframe) acts as an energetic guard to block negative vibes or “nazar” (evil eye). When placing at the main entrance, ensure the area is clean and completely free from shoe racks or garbage cans, as Vastu principles state clutter neutralizes the stone’s positive energy. The four corners method—placing a piece in each of the four corners of a room—is highly popular for creating a protective shield.
Bedroom Corners vs. Direct Contact: While it is useful to place Black Tourmaline in bedroom corners to clear negative thoughts, Vastu experts caution against placing it directly under your pillow or bed. Its grounding, dense vibrational energy is too heavy for sleep and can cause feelings of lethargy or restlessness.
Near electronics: Placing Black Tourmaline near routers, computers, or televisions is a popular modern practice to help neutralize “electromagnetic stress,” though this practice remains traditional rather than scientifically verified.
Form preferences: Raw/natural stones are highly preferred for Vastu as they retain their natural earth frequency, though polished pyramids hold special geometric significance for amplifying energy flow.
Vedic astrology connections
In Vedic astrology traditions, Black Tourmaline resonates with the heavy, disciplined energies of Planet Saturn (Shani) and is also used to stabilize the volatile, chaotic energies of shadow planets Rahu and Ketu. By grounding the Muladhara (Root Chakra), it anchors wearers experiencing Rahu-induced anxiety, Ketu-induced sudden disruptions, or the intense karmic phases of Shani Sade Sati and Shani Dasha.
Important distinction: Black Tourmaline is not a traditional substitute (Upratna) for Blue Sapphire (Neelam) in classical Jyotish texts. Classical Neelam substitutes include Iolite, Amethyst, Indicolite, and Lapis Lazuli. However, modern astrologers recommend Black Tourmaline as a supportive Saturn stone because it is much gentler and safer than Blue Sapphire, requiring no rigorous trial periods.
Traditional Wearing & Placement Guidelines
| Astrological Association | Saturn (Shani), Rahu, and Ketu |
| Recommended Weight | 1 Ratti per 10 kg of body weight (for jewelry); 200g – 1kg chunks (for Vastu home grid) |
| Metal for Jewelry | Silver (preferred for cooling properties) or Copper |
| Finger / Hand | Middle finger of dominant hand (for rings) or Right wrist (for bracelets) |
| Auspicious Timing | Saturday evening, during Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) |
| Cleansing Ritual | Gangajal wash or resting under full moonlight (avoid harsh salt water submersions) |
Determining the Correct Carat and Ratti Weight: If you are choosing Black Tourmaline for custom astrological rings or pendants, the standard Indian guideline is wearing 1 Ratti of stone weight for every 10 kg of body weight (e.g., a 6 Ratti stone for a 60 kg person). Using the standard conversion formula (1 Ratti ≈ 0.91 Carats, and 1 Carat ≈ 1.09 Ratti), you can easily determine the corresponding weight in Carats. Make sure to purchase a natural, certified untreated stone to ensure it carries the correct organic frequency.
Traditional activation and cleansing
Practitioners recommend cleansing your stone before first use and monthly thereafter. Moonlight cleansing (placing under a full moon overnight) is highly recommended. You can also pass it through dhoop/sage smoke for 2-3 minutes, or sprinkle it with Gangajal. Keep sunlight exposure to under 1-2 hours to prevent surface dullness.
Historical significance and cultural traditions
Discovery and naming
The name “tourmaline” derives from the Sinhalese word “tōramalli,” meaning “stone of mixed colors”—reflecting tourmaline’s remarkable color variety. “Schorl” (the mineralogical name for black tourmaline) traces to the German village of Zschorlau in Saxony, with documentation predating 1400 CE. The first detailed description was written by Johannes Mathesius in 1562, documenting occurrences in Saxony’s tin mines.
Dutch East India Company traders introduced tourmaline to Europe in the late 1600s, calling it the “Ceylonese Magnet” after observing its ash-attracting properties. Their term “Aschentrekker” (ash puller) described how heated tourmaline would clean their Meerschaum pipes—an early observation of pyroelectricity.
The oldest known carved tourmaline
The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford holds a 2.4cm carved tourmaline depicting Alexander the Great in profile, confirmed by Gem-A in 2019 as the oldest known carved tourmaline specimen. Dating to the 2nd-3rd century BCE, this intaglio demonstrates tourmaline was valued in Mediterranean and Indian cultures for over 2,300 years.
Protection beliefs across civilizations
Black tourmaline has been associated with protection across nearly every culture that encountered it. Ancient Egyptians wore it as amulets against evil spirits and curses, believing it passed through a rainbow during its journey from Earth’s center. Roman soldiers wore black tourmaline talismans, and the stone was used for inducing tranquil sleep. African warriors adorned their shields with black tourmaline, believing it deflected arrows and spears. Native American shamans carried it for protection during vision quests and spirit world communication.
The Empress who changed an industry
Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908), arguably the most powerful woman in Chinese history, developed a legendary obsession with pink tourmaline that triggered a mining boom in California’s San Diego County. Her purchases made the Himalaya Mine and Tourmaline Queen Mine major global suppliers. When her tomb was looted in 1928, soldiers discovered tourmaline sculptures among the treasures—including carved tourmaline pillows and elaborate pendants.
Care, jewelry options, and practical buying advice
Cleaning and storage
The GIA-recommended cleaning method for Black Tourmaline is using lukewarm, mild soapy water. A short soak of five to fifteen minutes, a gentle scrub with a soft-bristled brush, a rinse in warm water and a soft cloth to dry is all it needs. Never use an ultrasonic or steam cleaner. Tourmaline is brittle and carries microscopic fluid inclusions, and both vibration and thermal shock can start a fracture running through the stone.
Black Tourmaline is heat-sensitive; store it away from direct sunlight in individual soft fabric pouches to prevent it from getting scratched by harder gems like Rubies or Diamonds.
Why salt water damages Schorl: a brief rinse in fresh water is safe, but never soak Black Tourmaline in salt water. This one matters, because salt-water soaking is a standard step in popular crystal-cleansing routines and it quietly ruins stones. Tourmaline is brittle and prone to microscopic fractures. Salt water penetrates them, evaporates, and the salt left behind recrystallises and expands, widening the crack from the inside. Schorl is also iron-rich, so prolonged moisture and oxygen can oxidise the iron within those fissures, permanently dulling and weakening the stone. Salt water is corrosive to jewellery metal as well, tarnishing sterling silver and loosening settings. Moonlight, dry smoke or a wipe with a soft cloth achieve the ritual purpose without the damage.
Best jewelry applications
With Mohs hardness of 7-7.5, Black Tourmaline is durable enough for daily wear with reasonable care. Pendants and earrings offer excellent options—minimal exposure to impact. Bracelets work well but should be removed during activities with potential for bumps. Rings are suitable with protective bezel settings; prong settings expose the stone to greater damage risk.
Popular metal pairings include sterling silver (widely used, doesn’t interfere with traditional energy beliefs), gold (traditional, durable), and copper (popular in metaphysical circles). For jewelry, cabochon cuts highlight natural luster, while raw/rough settings maximize energy work appeal according to practitioners.
Smart buying decisions
Buy from a source that will take the stone back. Jaipur’s gem markets — Johari Bazaar and the Sitapura SEZ — do quote below online retail, but they sell in parcels, to buyers who can grade on sight, with no report and no returns. That is a good price only if you already know exactly what you are looking at. Buying online, ask for photographs of the actual stone rather than a stock image, look for striations on raw and cabochon pieces, and check that both the weight and the per-carat rate are stated. Be wary of prices well below the bands in the table above. Because genuine Schorl is within reach at these levels, there is little to gain from imitating it well — so material offered far below the range is far more likely to be glass or dyed onyx than a find.
Questions to ask sellers: What is the stone’s origin? Is it natural and untreated? Can certification be provided? What is the return policy if authenticity is questioned?
Budget guidance: under ₹500 buys raw specimens, small tumbles or a basic pyramid. ₹500 to ₹2,000 covers bracelets, larger pyramids and small faceted stones carrying a laboratory report. Above ₹2,000 you are into collector specimens, larger faceted stones and custom jewellery. At every level the rate should be stated plainly, per carat or per piece — a seller who will not give you a rate has already answered your question.
Frequently asked questions
Is Black Tourmaline safe for everyone to wear?
According to crystal healing traditions, Black Tourmaline is considered safe for all zodiac signs and is not believed to have the intense effects associated with Blue Sapphire. However, these are traditional beliefs rather than verified facts.
How do I know if my Black Tourmaline is real?
Authentic specimens feel heavy for their size, display vertical striations on raw pieces, cannot be scratched by steel at Mohs 7 to 7.5, stay fully opaque at the thinnest edge, and attract small particles when gently warmed and then cooled. An even, uniform jet black is normal and is not a sign of a fake, since there is no synthetic black tourmaline made for the gem trade.
Can Black Tourmaline go in water?
Brief rinsing is safe, but avoid prolonged soaking. Never use salt water: salt enters microscopic fissures, recrystallises as it dries, and widens them. Remove the stone before swimming or bathing.
Where should I place Black Tourmaline in my home according to Vastu?
Traditional recommendations include the Southwest corner for stability, near the main entrance for protection, and in all four corners of a room for comprehensive coverage. Placing it near electronics is popular based on EMF protection beliefs, though those claims lack scientific support.
Does Black Tourmaline really protect against EMF?
Tourmaline’s pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties are scientifically documented, but claims about EMF protection have been tested and are not supported by evidence. The stone cannot absorb radiation that does not directly strike it, and the electrical charges it produces are far too small to affect room-scale electromagnetic fields.
What’s the difference between Black Tourmaline and Black Onyx?
Black Tourmaline is heavier, displays vertical striations, has a vitreous luster and exhibits pyroelectric properties. Onyx is lighter, may show white banding, has a waxy luster and lacks electrical properties. Much commercial black onyx is in fact dyed agate.
How often should I cleanse my Black Tourmaline?
According to practitioners, monthly cleansing is recommended, preferably under full moonlight. More frequent cleansing may be warranted after exposure to negative environments or intense situations.
Is Black Tourmaline a substitute for Blue Sapphire in Vedic astrology?
It is not a classical substitute, or upratna, in traditional Jyotish texts, where the recognised Neelam substitutes are Iolite, Amethyst, Indicolite and Lapis Lazuli. However, modern practitioners sometimes recommend Black Tourmaline as a gentler Saturn support stone for those who find Blue Sapphire’s intensity too strong.
How many Carats or Ratti of Black Tourmaline should I wear?
For custom rings or pendants, the standard recommendation is 1 Ratti per 10 kg of body weight, approximately 6 Ratti for a 60 kg person, where 1 Ratti equals 0.91 carat. For Vastu home placement, raw chunks between 200g and 1kg are used around the entrance or in room corners.
Conclusion: an exceptional value with genuine fascination
Black Tourmaline represents remarkable value in the gemstone world—a scientifically fascinating mineral with documented electrical properties, 2,300+ years of documented cultural significance, and accessible pricing starting around ₹150 per carat. Its pyroelectric and piezoelectric effects are real physics, contributing to legitimate historical applications from ash-attracting curiosities to World War II pressure sensors.
It is an accessible entry into crystal collecting, Vastu practice or gemstone jewellery without the pricing of most semi-precious stones. What it asks of the buyer is only that the two categories are kept apart: what the physics supports, and what tradition holds. Both are worth knowing. Neither should be sold as the other.
Buy it for the mineralogy, for how it looks, or for the traditions attached to it — all three are good reasons. Buy it knowing that the striations are real, the piezoelectricity is real, the ash-pulling is real, and the wifi protection is not. A seller willing to tell you that last part is generally a seller worth buying the rest from.
