Tourmaline (unique color zoning)

Item Description

An interesting and unique Tourmaline specimen from the most famous locality for Tourmaline crystals in Pakistan. A lot of people associate the Tourmalines from this part of the world as coming from Afghanistan, and there isn't much in the way of really great Tourmaline locales in Pakistan, outside of Stak Nala. This piece features a Tourmaline with two distinct colors, but not in the typical "layered" style that one would expect, as they run at a diagonal angle across the length of the crystal. When backlit, you can see the about 60% of the crystal has a pleasing greenish-blue color, with a thinner yet distinct virtually black shade on one corner. Minor Muscovite can be seen flaring off one end. The crystal is doubly-terminated, though crudely so, and actually shows more of a pure blue tone on one end. The piece is not without damage, as there are some dings on both ends, but the unique color zoning is really what catches one's eye, as it's certainly different than the majority of Tourmalines you'll see on the market, regardless of locality.
From the collection of Colorado mining legend, Dave Bergman. Dave is now retired, but among other things, he was the foreman and primary person in charge of recovering specimens at the famous Sweet Home Mine near Alma, Colorado during the late 1970s. He is also the maternal grandfather of Brian Kosnar. See Dave's photo mining at the Sweet Home on page 58 of Peter Bancroft's book "Gem and Crystal Treasures".