Tourmaline (var. Schorl), Albite

This miniature specimen features a stout, jet-black trigonal crystal of schorl (the black variety of tourmaline) from the Laila area of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The crystal displays beautiful, sharply defined faces with distinct vertical prism striations and a strong vitreous lustre. A small cap of white albite rests along the upper portion of the crystal.

The locality lies near Laila Camp, between the Chogo Lungma and Haramosh glaciers, in a region famous for producing fine pegmatite minerals. Laila is also the name of a nearby prominent peak. The pegmatites of this area have yielded exceptional tourmaline specimens in a range of colours, though well-formed schorl crystals such as this remain highly desirable for their sharp form and classic appearance.

The specimen is accompanied by labels from J. Yusep and Weinrich Minerals.