Schorl Tourmaline (fine crystal) with Quartz, Albite and Topaz

Item Description

The locality at Dassu is probably best known for its Topaz and Hydroxylherderite crystals, and while Schorl is well-known from the locality one rarely finds specimens that feature such a supreme quality Schorl crystal like this. It should be noted that Schorl is not a variety of Tourmaline, it's a valid species, and part of the Tourmaline Group. This piece features an excellent, very sharp, highly lustrous, jet-black, prismatic trigonal crystal of Schorl measuring 5.2 cm long, aesthetically flaring off a matrix of very slightly smoky colored Quartz crystals with attractive snow-white "rosettes" of Albite (var: Cleavelandite) and minor colorless, GEM Topaz crystals. The underside of the Quartz is almost fully re-crystallized ("re-healed"), so the piece is in good shape all around, with no major damage that I can find, outside of the bottom of the Schorl where it detached from the pocket wall. The three pyramidal faces on the Schorl crystal are incredibly smooth and glistening. A wonderful, showy, aesthetic display specimen that would make a great addition to any Tourmaline suite, a collection of Pegmatite minerals, or just multi-species association specimens. Valued at $1,600 retail. From Brian Kosnar dealer stock.