Tourmaline

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.

This GEM transparent tourmaline is a superb, glass-like crystal from old finds at the famous Xanda mine. This mine was worked heavily in the 1960s-70s and yielded famous finds of both topaz and tourmaline; and some of the world's best herderite crystals. In particular, it was the site of the 1968-69 blue topaz pocket. This is undoubtedly from that early era (and came to us via a friend from an old European collection), and the mine is not worked seriously today — and has not, in decades. The crystal is slender, so it transmits light very easily and yet has a robust look to it and stands well in any row of gem crystals. It masses about 20 grams but really looks from the front like it should be more like 120 grams....all the look with little weight, is what lets it shine like glass with so minimal backlighting. HIGHLY unusual! Comes with a custom base.