Dravite-Schorl-Foitite Tourmaline
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Schorl-Dravite-Foitite Tourmaline
Obira Mine, Bungo-Ono City,
Oita Prefecture, Japan
Ex Jimmy & Hisami McNeil
Photo by Tomer Shapira
The trash-can mineral family: Tourmaline.
What species is this? Dravite? Schorl? Foitite?
Yes.
The entire family forms a wacky solid solution series with over 30 different species as "end-members". In reality, you never get a pure end member. Plus it is far from uncommon to get multiple in one crystal. Here we have a good example of this: the black radial sprays of tourmaline that come out of the Obira mine in Japan have a composition that is altering between Dravite, Schorl, and Foitite.
Product details
Current owner
Greater New York City Area
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Mineral guide
Learn about Schorl
color range and crystal variety define a diverse group; top localities, value factors, quality assessment, and care tips for collectors.
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Tourmaline from Japan
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