{"title":"Uvite","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUvite\u003c\/strong\u003e is the calcium-magnesium member of the \u003cstrong\u003etourmaline group\u003c\/strong\u003e, a complex borosilicate closely related to \u003cstrong\u003edravite\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eschorl\u003c\/strong\u003e but distinguished by its calcium-rich composition. It forms stubby, striated trigonal prisms with a vitreous luster, typically in shades of dark green, greenish-black, brownish-black, or reddish-brown, occasionally zoned parallel to the prism faces. With a hardness of 7 to 7.5 and no cleavage, uvite crystals are durable and often develop as attractive composite specimens rather than large gem-quality pieces.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe species takes its name from \u003cstrong\u003eUva Province\u003c\/strong\u003e in Sri Lanka, where \u003cstrong\u003eWilhelm Kunitz\u003c\/strong\u003e first described it in 1929, though the modern reference material comes from \u003cstrong\u003eBrumado\u003c\/strong\u003e, Bahia, Brazil, now the classic locality for fine uvite crystals perched on white \u003cstrong\u003emagnesite\u003c\/strong\u003e matrix. Other notable occurrences include the dolomitic marbles of \u003cstrong\u003ePierrepont\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eGouverneur\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eDeKalb\u003c\/strong\u003e in St. Lawrence County, New York, the \u003cstrong\u003eFranklin\u003c\/strong\u003e deposits of New Jersey, and additional finds in \u003cstrong\u003eMyanmar\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eMadagascar\u003c\/strong\u003e, Pakistan, Namibia, and Slovakia.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBecause uvite forms almost exclusively in magnesium-rich metamorphic and skarn environments, it is regularly found alongside \u003cstrong\u003ediopside\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ephlogopite\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003equartz\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003emuscovite\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eapatite-(CaF)\u003c\/strong\u003e. Its comparative rarity, distinctive Ca-Mg chemistry within the tourmaline supergroup, and striking crystal habit on contrasting magnesite or marble matrix make uvite a prized addition for systematic tourmaline collectors and species specialists alike.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/www.italmineral.com\/collections\/uvite.oembed","provider":"ITALMINERAL","version":"1.0","type":"link"}