Raw chunk of Black Tourmaline 4x3x2

Old stock (30+ years) bi-color elbaite tourmaline cluster. Clean, well-defined striations on all sides and a contact etching that houses a full-spectrum refraction best seen under LED lighting. “Spikey”, clustered terminations on all the formations. This piece is a prime example of the high-quality material Brazil has to offer. It also attests to the infamy of the Cruzeiro Mine and its production of the most sought after material on the market.

Double terminated rubellite tourmaline w/ well-defined and clean striations on all sides. A complex primary termination and a smooth, glassy secondary termination. Three saturated, contrasting color zones and very unique formation make this a true collector’s piece.

A large chunk of Black Tourmaline found roadside near Arizona/New Mexico border. Also known as Schorl, Afrisite, Cockle, Schirl, Schorlite, Shirl, Shorl.  High in lithium, aluminum, and iron. Semi-precious gemstone.  Stone is said to enhance artistic creativity and build self-confidence. Native American and African tribes used it to protect themselves from danger. Measures approx. 4″x3″x2″

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 DRAVITE. Large, dark brown crystal. Muscovite coats what appears to be a small Dravite crystal on the terminated end of the main crystal. Luster is vitreous. Sides are striated. The crystal is 1.6 inches in length. From the Power’s Farm location in New York, famous for its Dravite and Schorl Tourmalines.

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.

DRAVITE is a dark brown to black variety of the Tourmaline group. It is a sodium, magnesium, aluminum, boro-silicate mineral. The crystal system is Trigonal. Hardness is 7 on the Mohs scale. 

Location: Power’s Farm, Pierrepont, St. Lawrence Co., New York, USA

Specimen size: 1.6 x 1.1 x 0.9 inches

Specimen weight: 55 grams (1.9 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)

ELBAITE crystal with a blue INDICOLITE cap. The blue cap is translucent. Luster is vitreous. The crystal is 1.0 inch in length. Albite is the small white spot on the crystal. This specimen is thumbnail size. ELBAITE is a member of the Tourmaline group. INDICOLITE is the blue variety of Elbaite.

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. 

Vitreous black TOURMALINE from the Harney Peak Pegmatite of South Dakota.