Black tourmaline

Locale: Erongo Mountain, Namibia

Approx dimensions: 3 x 2.5 x 2.5"

Approx weight: 287g

** Loose piece on base

This statuesque piece of black tourmaline, known as schorl, has the mercedes termination and glossy high luster characteristic of the Erongo region. The piece is effectively three intergrown crystals in a stepped formation, with partial crystals attached at one end. The sides are beautifully striated on the partial crystals, with more irregular stepped ends on the striations of the main crystals. The crystal tops have intricate growth patterns across the surface, partially obscured by fine bits of matrix.

There is a small piece of smoky quartz on one side of the piece. On the base, you can see inverted striated patterns, geometric impressions left behind by other crystals.

Loose piece: There is a slightly loose small schorl crystal in the base of the piece, near the slanted crystal at the back. It may dislodge with handling.