Schorl and Albite

Unknown Owner

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The Blue Chihuahua Mine is located in Riverside County, California and was a small pegmatite that was essentially mined out during the 1960s, so specimens from here are few and far between. This is an attractive trio of super lustrous, jet-black Schorl Tourmaline crystals associated with contrasting white Albite. The Schorl crystals measure 2.2, 1.6 and 1.4 cm tall, respectively, and all display faint striations parallel to their length and a flat pinacoid termination. They contrast perfectly with the snow-white rosettes of Albite (var. Cleavelandite) that ideally highlight the crystals at their base. We were about to note the possibility that the central crystal termination has a slight polish to it - it just looks unusually flat and shiny. However, on closer inspection, all three terminations have the same look, and the smallest has ingrown albite and could not have been polished. The leftmost shows a small imperfection in the middle, but the rest of it shows the same shiny glassy look. So, we conclude, especially as this was demonstrably collected by Bob and owned by Rock - and neither would polish a termination - that this is indeed a natural piece with simply exceptional luster. A very well composed and well-balanced small cabinet piece, not to mention a rare specimen from their locality! Rock Currier notes that this was collected by Robert Bartsch, and he got the specimen when he was given Bob's collection in his living trust. http://www.mindat.org/article.php/2158/Robert+Bartsch+++RIP++1939+to+2014.