Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Dusso, Pakistan
SIZE : 8.5 x 4.5 x 5 cm

This sample has a monocrystal striated and black on a matrix of white albite. It measures 8.5 x 4.5 x 5 cm. The head of the crystal measures 2 x 1.7 cm. The termination shows clearly facets which angles measure 120°.

This specimen comes from Dusso in Pakistan and was acquired thanks to support from Total. It is currently exposed in the Treasure Room, within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Schorl

HISTORY : Species named after the German village Schorl which was located near mines where black tourmalin as found

Species first described in 1524 by Johannes Mathesius (1504-1565), German theologian

Type-locality: undefined because species already known from the Ancients

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Na Fe3 Al6 (BO3) Si6O18 (OH)4
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Hexagonal
COLOR : Brown, black
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to almost opaque
LUSTER : Vitreous to resineous
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Prismatic to acicular crystals, radial, fibrous, massive
HARDNESS : 7
DENSITY : 3,244

CHEMICAL CLASS : VIII - Silicates
GROUP : Tourmaline
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 8/E.19-50
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 8.CK.05

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Schorl

Schorl

MNHN N°193.86

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