Where is Tourmalinated Quartz found?
SiO2 (Quartz) with (Na,Ca)(Li,Mg,Fe,Mn,Al)3Al6(BO3)3Si6O18(OH)4 (Tourmaline Group)
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Open the appTourmalinated Quartz occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Tourmalinated Quartz
Brazil
Minas Gerais is a prolific source, particularly for high-quality specimens with clear quartz and well-formed black tourmaline needles.
United States
Localities in Maine (e.g., Mount Mica, Dunton Quarry) and California (e.g., Pala District) are known for tourmaline-bearing pegmatites, sometimes yielding tourmalinated quartz.
Pakistan
Northern areas, particularly Gilgit-Baltistan, produce fine specimens of quartz with various tourmaline inclusions.
Madagascar
Known for a wide variety of quartz and tourmaline, including specimens where tourmaline is included in quartz.
Afghanistan
Similar to Pakistan, pegmatite regions yield quartz with tourmaline inclusions.
Collecting tips
- Look in Pegmatites. Focus your search on granitic pegmatite dikes, as these are the primary environments for the formation of large, well-formed quartz and tourmaline crystals.
- Hydrothermal Veins. Explore quartz veins associated with granitic intrusions, as hydrothermal activity can lead to the co-crystallization of quartz and tourmaline.
- Examine Quartz Closely. When collecting quartz, especially clear or smoky varieties, carefully inspect for internal inclusions. Tourmaline needles can be very fine.
- Check Mine Dumps. Old mine dumps from pegmatite or granite quarries can be excellent places to find discarded but still valuable specimens.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Clear to smoky quartz with black needle-like inclusions.
- Luster:
- Vitreous.
- Streak:
- White (for quartz), colorless (for tourmaline, though typically not tested on inclusions).
Explore Tourmalinated Quartz
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