Black tourmaline with excellent form and small hyalite

Locale: Erongo Mountain, Namibia

Approx dimensions: 2.75 x 2.5 x 2"

Approx weight: 375g

This large glossy black tourmaline, known as schorl, features the Mercedes termination characteristic of the Erongo region. Erongo schorl typically has very high luster as seen in this specimen. The sides of the piece have beautiful chunky vertical striations, and the faces of the point have faint angular zig-zag  patterns of the crystal growth form visible.

There is a small amount of white hyalite near the base of the specimen on one side. Hyalite is a form of opal, which in turn is part of the broader quartz family.

UV reactivity The small amount of hyalite will react a strong yellow-green color under 395nm UV or 365nm UV light. No phosphorescence detected.