Tourmaline Var. Buergerite

Unknown Owner

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A fairly rare member of the tourmaline group, this specimen on matrix is composed of several, doubly terminated, prismatic crystals of lustrous, bronze colored crystals to 1 cm in length. Notice the fascinating golden sheen effect o the surface. From the type locality at Mexquitic, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Although this is a thumbnail, it is easily the most aesthetic buergerite I have ever seen. Undamaged and wonderful, the eye appeal is beyond belief for this normally homely species. It is actually competition- grade, for a species which normally is relegated to "intellectual" status only. Few were found, and the exact locality is now lost. This piece comes from an old collection being sold off, as do most. Joe Budd photo