Rock Crystal Sphere with Tourmaline

A rock crystal sphere from Zimbabwe with embedded tourmaline rods. Black schorl needles against the transparent quartz matrix, visible from every direction.

Tourmalinated quartz is a collector's classification for rock crystal with embedded schorl rods, a complex boron silicate. The parallel-grown constellation of quartz with schorl indicates a boron-bearing pegmatitic deposit.

Material of this block size and cut quality is an extremely rare occurrence due to deposit conditions. Zimbabwean pegmatites deliver this material with premium clarity in the quartz matrix.

What makes this sphere special: different schorl constellations become visible with every rotation. The polished spherical shape maximizes the optical readability of the embedded rods.