UVITE – Lustrous Black Tourmaline Floater Crystal from Brumado, Brazil

This is a completely natural uvite tourmaline crystal of excellent mineralogical interest, coming from the historic Brumado district in Bahia, Brazil, one of the most celebrated localities in the world for this calcium-magnesium member of the tourmaline supergroup.

The specimen is dominated by a single, well-grown crystal displaying a good degree of self-formation, which allows the individual crystal faces to be clearly appreciated. The prismatic habit typical of uvite is beautifully expressed here, with glossy, well-defined surfaces that catch the light and enhance the intensity of the deep black colour running through the piece.

The natural brilliance of the faces, combined with the imposing size of the crystal relative to typical uvite specimens on the market, gives this piece a bold, sculptural presence. It is an excellent choice both for a systematic tourmaline collection and as a striking natural object for display in refined interiors.

As with all Brumado uvite, subtle colour and lustre variations can appear depending on lighting conditions; the piece is offered exactly as photographed, in generally very good natural condition.

Uvite is a calcium- and magnesium-rich member of the tourmaline supergroup, a complex borosilicate mineral group in which boron, silicon, aluminium, calcium and magnesium are combined within a trigonal crystal lattice. The intense black colour seen in this specimen is caused primarily by iron (Fe2+ and Fe3+) together with titanium (Ti4+) incorporated into the crystal structure; through an intervalence charge transfer process between these ions, light absorption becomes so strong that the tourmaline appears opaque black to the naked eye, even though very thin sections of similarly coloured material often reveal an underlying dark green, blue or brown hue.

Uvite typically forms in calcium- and boron-rich metamorphic and skarn-type environments, and at Brumado it developed in association with magnesite- and dolomite-bearing altered rocks, giving rise to the short, stubby, prismatic crystals with triangular cross-section that are characteristic of the species. The well-defined, glossy prism faces on this crystal are typical of good-quality Brumado material.

• Formula: CaMg3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
• Key chemical elements: Calcium, Magnesium, Aluminum, Silicon, Boron
• Hardness (Mohs scale): 7 – 7.5
• Mineral class: Silicates (Borosilicates, Tourmaline supergroup)
• Crystal system: Trigonal
• Crystal habit: Prismatic, short and stubby, with well-developed glossy faces
• Formation: Calcium- and boron-rich metamorphic and skarn-type environments, associated with magnesite and dolomite
• Color: Intense black, caused by iron and titanium charge transfer
• Locality status: Active mine, worked mainly for magnesite and talc, with uvite as a valued accessory mineral

The name "uvite" originates from the Uva Province of Sri Lanka, where the mineral was first described, long before its true chemical distinctiveness from other tourmaline species was understood. For decades uvite was informally recognised by collectors, but it only gained full clarity within the tourmaline supergroup nomenclature after the major revision published by Henry and colleagues in 2011, and was further refined in 2020 when the International Mineralogical Association separated it from the fluorine-dominant species fluor-uvite, assigning uvite a new formally analysed type locality on the island of Elba, Italy.

Brumado, in the Serra das Éguas hills of Bahia, is regarded as one of the classic world localities for fine uvite crystals, alongside striking associated minerals such as magnesite and dolomite. The district sits above one of the largest magnesite deposits on the planet, and uvite tourmaline is typically found as a valued accessory mineral within these magnesite and dolomite-rich rocks. The mine remains an active commercial operation focused primarily on magnesite and talc extraction, with well-formed uvite specimens reaching collectors only occasionally, which adds to the appeal of good crystals like this one.

In crystal healing traditions, black tourmalines such as uvite are considered powerful grounding and protective stones, believed to help absorb negative energy and shield the aura from unwanted external influences. They are often associated with emotional stability, courage and a strong connection to the earth, and are said to help dispel fear, anxiety and confusion while promoting clarity of mind. Some practitioners also use black uvite for meditation, believing it supports focus and inner strength during energy work.

Please note that these interpretations are not scientifically proven.

Photos: All photographs are taken under professional lighting conditions to accurately highlight crystal structure, color and detail. However, slight variations in tone and appearance may occur depending on screen calibration and ambient lighting conditions.

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Multiple purchases can be consolidated into a single shipment, including items from different auctions or separate orders, by simply contacting us to arrange combined shipping. For high-value specimens, direct delivery by appointment is also available, either at home or at major European mineral shows and fairs.