Schorl Tourmaline (unusual "cat's paw" specimen) (ex Kay Robertson Collection)

Item Description

This piece came labeled as coming from Batopilas, but I believe it's more than likely from Santa Cruz in Sonora. I've only seen a handful of these specimens over the years, and if you collect Tourmalines, you have to add one of these to your collection. The piece is jet black and opaque, but the surface has a gentle "velvety" texture and a directional luster that gives it a chatoyant glow when rotated in the light. The crystals look like "plumes" instead of prismatic crystals, and they are growing in stacked formation, somewhat similar to a "cactus Quartz". The piece is in great condition overall with only a few tiny imperfections. Don't miss out on this exotic and eye-catching Tourmaline! Ex Kay Robertson Collection (#2441). Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record and the 50+ page article in the German Magazine "Mineralien Welt" November-December 2017).