Schorl with Orthoclase

specimen number:
2262121

location:
Erongo Mts., Namibia

description:
A bright sharp lustrous crystal of schorl almost 5.0 cm in length set up on a white orthoclase crystal matrix with many smaller crystals of schorl. This is in super condition.

The Erongo Mountains in central Namibia represent a spectacular example of a post-Karoo anorogenic complex, consisting of a massive circular granitic ring dike and central volcanic caldera. Geologically, the region is characterized by the Erongo Granite, which intruded into older Damaran schists approximately 130 million years ago, creating extensive miarolitic cavities and pegmatites during the final stages of cooling. The mountains are a premier global locality for schorl, the black, iron-rich member of the tourmaline group, which occurs as lustrous, striated, and often exceptionally large trigonal crystals frequently found in association with aquamarine and smoky quartz. Historically, mining and quarrying in the Erongo district have been dominated by artisanal and small-scale operations rather than large industrial companies, with local miners exploring the rugged terrain for gemstones and specimens since the early 20th century. This mineral recovery intensified significantly in the late 1990s as the international collector market recognized the quality of Erongo material, and active specimen mining continues as a vital local industry through 2026. The area remains a crucial site for studying the geochemistry of boron-rich granitic systems and the formation of high-quality gemstone pockets within volcanic environments.

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