Spectacular, 8.6" Aquamarine, Schorl & Feldspar Association - Namibia

This is a phenomenal specimen that contains pristine aquamarine crystals and black tourmaline on an orthoclase feldspar crystal matrix, collected from the Erongo Mountains in Namibia. The brown minerals on this specimen are formations of goethite after siderite. This is a truly breathtaking mineral association.

The entire specimen is 8.6" long, and the longest aquamarine crystal cluster is 1.55" long.

Tourmaline is a crystalline boron silicate mineral compounded with elements such as aluminium, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, or potassium. Schorl, or black tourmaline, is its most common form, and has been used for everything from jewelry to piezoelectric guitar pickups.

Feldspars are a group of rock-forming tectosilicate minerals. They are the most common minerals on Earth, making up nearly 60% of the crust.

Orthoclase is a feldspar mineral with the chemical formula KAlSi₃O₈ and a hardness of 6 - 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. It is considered a key component in many igneous rock formations and is one of the most abundant minerals throughout the continental crust. It can form individual crystals, but it is most commonly known for its pink coloration within granite rock. It has many commercial uses, including application in the production of a wide variety of ceramics, and is sometimes used in the manufacturing of glass.

Beryl is a mineral composed of beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate, with the chemical formula Be3Al2(SiO3)6. Naturally occurring beryl tends to form hexagonal crystals that can reach several meters in size if given the right conditions. Completely pure beryl will be transparent and colorless, while mineral impurities frequently tint the crystals color in most specimens.

Well known varieties of beryl include aquamarine and emerald, although beryl can also be green, blue, yellow, white and red, depending on the incorporated impurities during formation. Red beryl is its rarest form, and can currently only be found in New Mexico and Utah.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Tourmaline var. Schorl, Aquamarine & Feldspar (Orthoclase)
LOCATION
Erongo Mountains, Karibib, Erongo Region, Namibia
SIZE
8.6" wide
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#92459