Vanadian Uvite

Unknown Owner

Help improve this recordNo owner is registered for this specimen yet. If it's yours or you know more about it, you can add the owner, provenance, publications and other details.

Uvite is an uncommon member of the tourmaline group, and it is exceptionally rare to find examples where the green color is engendered by vanadium as opposed to chromium or other more common chromophores in tourmaline. These came out in the mid 1990s and Bill Larson seemed to have most of them at the time (i bought many, but this is the one he kept). Analysis at the GIA showed the color to be due to vanadium, which is highly unusual. This crystal is lustrous and translucent and exhibits a most wonderful, saturated emerald-green color. A small specimen to some, a fullsized thumbnail specimen to others, and with the WOW factor. The mass is approx 2 grams so it is not heavy, but is volumetric because the surface termination spreads out like a pancake with a highly reduced long axis. So, in effect, you are orienting the crystal to look at the a and b axes for display, unlike with most tourmalines. The final photo shows that the piece is a floater, complete on the backside (although with less color). From the Burma collection of "Burma Bill" Larson, who has for decades brought out gems and then minerals as this region opened up to the trade in specimens.