Dravita
Dravita is a mineral with formula NaMg₃Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH), in the Silicatos group. This specimen comes from Yinnietharra Dravite Mine, Yinnietharra, Upper Gascoyne Shire, Australia Occidental, Australia and joined the Terrium collection in 1999.
Description
Typical Coca-Cola-brown dravite with phlogopite inclusions. Thick, twinned crystals with vitreous–resinous lustre and broad, slightly striated faces. Well-defined geometries in several volumes, forming a large architectural block.
History of this specimen
When this piece came into my hands, I did not know exactly what it was. Its «Coca-Cola» colour and the oversized appearance of what seemed to be a garnet with micaceous inclusions caught my attention. Weeks later, while looking through Diego Navarro’s collection, I found an almost identical specimen. I asked him what it was, told him the story, and when he identified it as a dravite from Yinnietharra, he put his hands to his head and gave me an approximate value. That completely changed the way I understood the piece.
About Dravita
Yinnietharra dravites are unique worldwide. They stand out for their huge, compact, twinned crystals, amber-brown—the Coca-Cola tone—and resinous lustre. They are usually associated with phlogopite and show robust volumes and subtle striation. Large specimens with defined architecture are scarce and highly prized.
About the locality
The Upper Gascoyne district is a world classic for massive dravite. Between the 1980s and 2000, pieces of exceptional size were extracted. The deposit is practically inactive and good specimens are increasingly rare.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0289
- Composition
- NaMg₃Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
- Name
- Dravita
- Group
- Silicatos
- Category
- Meritum Persé
- Associations
- Phlogopite
- Mine
- Yinnietharra Dravite Mine
- District / Municipality
- Yinnietharra
- Province
- Upper Gascoyne Shire
- Region
- Australia Occidental
- Country
- Australia
- Size (cm)
- 9 x 7.5 x 6
- Weight
- 501.5 g
- Acquired
- 1999
- Ex-collection
- Sergio Petretich
- Etymology
- Named after the village of Drave, South Tyrol (Italy), where the species was identified.
- Quality
- Muy buena
- Value trend
- Al alza
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