Doubly-terminated Smoky Quartz Crystal, Australia

Gem Barite Crystal ‘flower’, Peru

Indicolite Tourmaline-included Quartz, Brazil

‘Elestial’ Smoky Quartz Crystals, Brazil

Petalite, Gemmy Crystal, Brazil

TOURMALINE, variety UVITE. The crystal has dark brown color with a hint of red on one of the edges. Red Uvite crystals are far less common then green ones. Luster is vitreous. The crystal is 1.4 inch in length. The white crystals are Calcite rhombohedrons. From the Brumado area of Bahia, Brazil.

UVITE is a member of the Tourmaline group. It is a calcium, magnesium, aluminum, boro-silicate mineral. The crystal system is Trigonal. Hardness is 7 – 7.5 on the Mohs scale. Uvite occurs primarily in calcium- and boron-rich, metamorphic and skarn-type environments. In 2020, the International Mineralogical Association redefined Uvite as two separate minerals that are end-members of a solid-solution series: Uvite now refers to the hydroxyl-dominant end-member, while Fluor-uvite is the correct name for the fluorine-dominant end-member.

Location: Pomba pit, Serra das Éguas, Brumado, Bahia, Brazil

Metaphysical properties: Uvite diminishes fears and promotes self-confidence, awakens one from illusions, brings an awareness of reality, and enhances fortitude.

Specimen size: 1.4 x 1.3 x 0.8 inches

Specimen weight: 20 grams (0.7 ounces)

TOURMALINE, variety UVITE. Thumbnail-size crystal has dark red color. The red is visible under direct lighting. Red uvite crystals are far less common then green ones. Luster is vitreous. The crystal is 1.0 inch in length. From the Brumado area of Bahia, Brazil.

UVITE is a member of the Tourmaline group. It is a calcium, magnesium, aluminum, boro-silicate mineral. The crystal system is Trigonal. Hardness is 7 – 7.5 on the Mohs scale. Uvite occurs primarily in calcium- and boron-rich, metamorphic and skarn-type environments. In 2020, the International Mineralogical Association redefined Uvite as two separate minerals that are end-members of a solid-solution series: Uvite now refers to the hydroxyl-dominant end-member, while Fluor-uvite is the correct name for the fluorine-dominant end-member.

Location: Pomba pit, Serra das Éguas, Brumado, Bahia, Brazil

Metaphysical properties: Uvite diminishes fears and promotes self-confidence, awakens one from illusions, brings an awareness of reality, and enhances fortitude.

Specimen size: 1.0 x 0.5 x 0.5 inches

Specimen weight: 10 grams (0.4 ounces)

TOURMALINE, variety RUBELLITE on Quartz. Three, translucent crystals with cranberry red color. Luster is vitreous. Sides are striated. The longest crystal is 1.2 inches in length. From the famous Cruzeiro Mine in Brazil.

This piece is from the collection of Roger Maynard. Roger is a friend and was a long-time geologist with the US Geological Survey in New Mexico.

RUBELLITE is the red, lithium-rich variety of the Tourmaline group. It is a sodium, lithium, aluminum, boro-silicate mineral. The crystal system is Trigonal. Hardness is 7 – 7.5 on the Mohs scale. 

Location: Cruzeiro mine, São José da Safira, Minas Gerais, Brazil

The Cruzeiro Mine is one of the most important gem and specimen mines in the world. It has been mined for tourmalines and other mineral specimens since the 1950’s. There are at least five distinct pegmatites worked in the mine.

Specimen size: 1.8 x 0.8 x 0.8 inches

Specimen weight: 15 grams (0.5 ounces)

TOURMALINE, variety RUBELLITE. Single, translucent crystal with cranberry red color. One end is terminated. Luster is vitreous. Sides are striated. The crystal is 1.9 inches in length. Pictures show with and without a light on the side to illustrate the translucency. From the famous Cruzeiro Mine in Brazil.

This piece is from the collection of Roger Maynard. Roger is a friend and was a long-time geologist with the US Geological Survey in New Mexico.

RUBELLITE is the red, lithium-rich variety of the Tourmaline group. It is a sodium, lithium, aluminum, boro-silicate mineral. The crystal system is Trigonal. Hardness is 7 – 7.5 on the Mohs scale. 

Location: Cruzeiro mine, São José da Safira, Minas Gerais, Brazil

The Cruzeiro Mine is one of the most important gem and specimen mines in the world. It has been mined for tourmalines and other mineral specimens since the 1950’s. There are at least five distinct pegmatites worked in the mine.

Specimen size: 1.9 x 0.5 x 0.5 inches

Specimen weight: 14.5 grams (0.5 ounces)

Beautiful Carnelian OBELISK carving. Cut and polished to show off the banding in the Carnelian Agate. Dark red and white color. Height is 6.0 inches. The Carnelian is from Brazil. From the collection of Bruce Brown (Denver, Colorado).

Franckeite Crystals, Peru

Two blue, translucent TOURMALINE, variety ELBAITE, crystals with pink LEPIDOLITE Mica from the famous Cruzeiro mine in Brazil. Minor white Calcite. Luster is vitreous. The longest crystal is 1.2 inches. This specimen is thumbnail size as it fits in a 1.25 inch perky box. Pictures are with and without a direct light on the side of the crystals to show the blue color and translucency. 

This brilliant cluster of BRAZILIANITE crystals is translucent. The longest crystal is 1.0 inch. Color is green with a hint of yellow. The luster is vitreous. This specimen is from the collection of Roger Maynard. Roger is a friend and was a long-time geologist with the US Geological Survey.

Slice from a cluster of RHODOCHROSITE STALACTITES from the famous Capillitas mine in Argentina. The dozens of creme-colored “straws” are quite striking. Three years ago, the mine was taken over by the government to mine silver and copper. No more Rhodochrosite will come from this mine.

Cross section of a RHODOCHROSITE STALACTITE from the famous Capillitas mine in Argentina. Since most of the Rhodochrosite from this mine is sold to make jewelry, it is priced according to weight. This piece weighs 25 grams. At US$8 per gram, the price is $200. Three years ago, the mine was taken over by the government to mine silver and copper. No more Rhodochrosite will come from this mine.