Rare Classic Large Dravite Tourmaline Crystals from Australia

Description

This brown Dravite Tourmaline specimen is from Yinnietharra Station, Pilbara Region, Western Australia, Australia. It is from the Soklich open cut mine which operated from 1968 to 1971. Dravite Tourmalines from this classic Australian locale are generally considered to be among the world’s finest. Crystals from this mine have graced collections for many years as examples of the crystal habits of large tourmalines.

These inter-grown crystals are a lustrous, rich root beer brown which appears opaque but has minor translucence, a vitreous luster, some indented with small booklets of mica. It is very rare to find specimens that have these mica inclusions. Some of the specimens may be very large. They can occur as single and twinned crystals, or they may be grouped. Crystals at the Soklich cut were found sporadically within pockets. The best quality specimens like this were found around 10 to 20 feet below the surface.

This piece weighs 7.9 oz or 0.49 lb (225g) measures 2.2 x 2.2 x 1.6” (5.7 x 5.7 x 4.9cm)