Dravite

specimen number:
9711776

location:
Landanai, Simanjiro, Manyara, Tanzania

description:
Deep green glassy translucent crystal of dravite 1.0 cm in size embedded up on matrix. In good condition.

Landanai, located in the Simanjiro District of Tanzania's Manyara Region, is a prominent gem mining area historically recognized for its production of dravite and chrome-tourmaline. Mining operations in the area began around the mid-20th century, peaking during the 1960s with hundreds of kilograms recovered, though activity has since become sporadic with intermittent small-scale and artisanal extraction continuing into recent decades. Geologically, the deposit is situated within the metamorphic terrane of the Mozambique Belt, differing from typical granite-pegmatite tourmaline settings by being hosted in ancient metamorphic rocks such as gneiss, migmatite, and mylonite. The characteristic green tourmalines found here are formed through complex hydrothermal and metamorphic processes, where trace elements like vanadium and chromium are integrated into the crystalline structure.

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