Tourmaline (Chrome Dravite)

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The Commander mine at Nadonjukin in the Simanjiro District of Tanzania is a tiny mining operation with little known about it save for its increasing fame as a world-class producer of Chrome Dravite Tourmaline. This single, ex-matrix crystal is an exquisite example from the mine, measuring a very presentable 5.2 cm tall and mounted on a clear square block of acrylic. As with almost all the Chrome Dravite from Nadonjukin, the interior of the crystal is a swirling mix of gemmy Tourmaline shot through with complex drapes, feathers, and planar features. These create a multi-faceted array of reflective surfaces which bounce-back incident light in a play of metallic amber, lime, chartreuse and chrome-greens. The prism grades from amber-olive through to intense electric-chrome over the top 1.5 cm, including its perfect termination. Much of this top zone is clear and gemmy, free from internal flaws. A stunning and beautiful Tanzanian Chrome Dravite Tourmaline.