Fluor-dravite is a relatively recently defined member of the tourmaline group, chemically distinct due to fluorine dominance in its anion site. It typically forms elongate, striated trigonal prisms in metamorphic environments and is often visually indistinguishable from standard dravite without chemical analysis. Collectors prize it as a specific end-member species within the complex and diverse tourmaline mineral suite.
Is this fluor-dravite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch fluor-dravite with a known reference. Fluor-dravite sits at Mohs 7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blackish brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic, elongated striated crystals.
Often confused with
Fluor-dravite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Fluor-dravite leaves pale brown, Dravite leaves light brown, white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Fluor-dravite leaves pale brown, Schorl leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Fluor-dravite leaves pale brown, Uvite leaves white, light green, light brown.
Often found alongside fluor-dravite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fluor-dravite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaMg₃Al₆Si₆O₁₈(BO₃)₃(OH)₃F
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 3.120 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, elongated striated crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- Formed near the contact between a granitic pegmatite and country rock
Where rockhounds find fluor-dravite
Classic worldwide localities
- Crabtree emerald mine, Mitchell County, North Carolina, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Formed near the contact between a granitic pegmatite and country rock. If you start seeing k-feldspar, plagioclase, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic, elongated striated crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify fluor-dravite?+
Where is fluor-dravite found?+
What rocks look like fluor-dravite?+
What minerals are found with fluor-dravite?+
What kind of rock does fluor-dravite form in?+
What is fluor-dravite used for?+
Find fluor-dravite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
