Vanadian Dravite Tourmaline

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The discovery, in 2016, of gemmy green Dravite at Nadonjukin in Manyara Region, Tanzania really was a first for Dravite, which is ordinarily not regarded as a particularly colourful or gemmy tourmaline. This exceptional form of Dravite was initially thought to be coloured by chromium and were labelled Chrome Dravite, but more recent analysis has shown vanadium to be the chromophore. This 5.3 cm long crystal is a good size but is held back from being a four-figure specimen by a slight chip along one side of the prism just below its termination. Colourwise, the uppermost 1.5 cm of the crystal is a lovely intense forest-green colour with good translucency, passing downwards to a more clouded brownish-green colour. The lower surface of the crystal is a fracture surface that angles upwards at about 45 degrees.