Dravite Tourmaline (doubly-terminated ''floater'') (unique coloration)

Item Description

Most mineral species, regardless of their chemistry are notably monochromatic, but Tourmaline is quite different as it often features multiple colors within the same crystal. Now analysis has shown that the color variations in certain Tourmaline crystals varies enough chemically that you can actually have multiple species contained within a single crystals (Elbaite, Liddicoatite, Dravite, etc.). These particular crystals from the Mwajanga diggings in Tanzania are labeled as Dravite, and they are some of the most interesting examples of the species I've ever seen. This particular crystal is a gorgeous, doubly-terminated "floater" featuring an attractive olive-green hue on the pyramidal termination, that grades into a nearly black color, then starkly changes to a rarely seen, virtually white hue, which finishes off with a lovely "blue cap" basal termination on the other end. This combination of colors, along with the beautiful form and crystallization of the piece make it a highly desirable and notably singular example of Dravite that you would not likely find anywhere else in the world. There are plenty of Tourmalines out there with attractive pink and green combos, but the specific coloring in this crystal is unlike anything else I can remember seeing in a Tourmaline. If you collect Tourmalines, gem minerals or specimens from Tanzania, this is something special and arguably unique, so don't miss out, as we don't have another like it to offer.
From the collection of David E Ziga, a geologist who graduated Miami (of Ohio) University in 2017, with a mineralogy background.