Detailed information
Dimensions
52 x 42 x 42
mm
Locality
Merelani Hills Lelatema Mts, Simanjiro Manyara Region, Tanzania
Condition
No recorded repairs
A spectacular double terminated crystal of Uvite, a chrome-rich member of the Tourmaline Group and in the case of this specimen, also with a high vanadium content. The primary crystal measures approximately 3.4 cm long (between terminations) and 4.4 x 3.4 cm in cross-section. Attached to this at one side and in parallel growth, is a smaller incomplete Uvite crystal. From the pegmatites of the Merelani Hills in the Lelatema Mountains of Tanzania, this fine crystal is generally a very dark bottle-green, appearing almost black, but with numerous zones and patches of mottled mid-leaf-green Uvite. All prism and termination faces have a high lustre. A little natural damage is to be seen on the odd edge, but this is typical for such specimens and does not detract. A magnificent Vanadian Uvite Tourmaline from the Merelani Hills of Tanzania.
