Schorl gallery

SCHORL Gallery Return to Schorl page. Click on image for larger view
Schorl is a common mineral in New Hampshire pematites. As it is almost always frozen in the enclosing pegmatite matrix, collecting complete crystals of this brittle mineral is a challenge for field collectors.
SCHORL Globe Mine, Springfield, NH 8.5 cm specimen of partial large schorl crystals	Species: SCHORL Locality: Globe Mine, Springfield, NH Specimen Size: 8.5 cm specimen of partial large schorl crystals. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: 1773 Notes:
SCHORL Tripp Mine, Alstead, NH 3.2 cm terminated crystal	Species: SCHORL Locality: Tripp Mine, Alstead, NH Specimen Size: 3.2 cm terminated crystal Field Collected: A purchased specimen, 2011 Gilsum Rock Swap. Catalog No.: 1783 Notes: An EDS analysis indicated this black tourmaline is close to the midpoint of the schorl-dravite series, but the Fe content is higher than the Mg content, so it falls on the schorl side of the series. The Analysis was done on polished mineral grain. The EDS instrument has poor response to elements sodium and lighter. At the Gilsum Swap, these crystals were sold as "Tourmaline."
SCHORL Swain Brook Pegmatite, Wentworth, NH 6 cm terminated crystal on 7 cm (wide) specimen.	Species: SCHORL Locality: Swain Brook Pegmatite, Wentworth, NH. (About a 1000 ft. upstream of the flood control dam) Specimen Size: 6 cm terminated crystal on 7 cm (wide) specimen. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: 719 Notes: The schorl tourmaline species identified by EDS analysis. Analysis done on polished mineral grain. EDS instrument has poor response to elements sodium and lighter. At this locality schorl crystals have been collected that approach beer can size. The larger crystals tend to be more crudely formed. Some show sericite (mica) replacement.
SCHORL Swain Brook Pegmatite, Wentworth, NH 4 cm specimen.	Species: SCHORL Locality: Swain Brook Pegmatite, Wentworth, NH Specimen Size: 4 cm specimen. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: 716 Notes:
SCHORL Swain Brook Pegmatite, Wentworth, NH 2 cm terminated schorl crystal.	Species: SCHORL Locality: Swain Brook Pegmatite, Wentworth, NH Specimen Size: 2 cm terminated schorl crystal. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: 718 Notes: I had originally labeled the Swain Brook specimens as simply "Tourmaline", not knowing their exact species. The species was resolved in a January 2012 EDS analysis, (referenced above). I mount many of my thumbnails on styrofoam with an attached white cardstock label, as shown here. When placed in a display case, this avoids two levels of glass/acrylic between the specimen and viewer.
SCHORL Swain Brook Pegmatite, Wentworth, NH 6 cm specimen of parallel pair of terminated schorl crystals.	Species: SCHORL Locality: Swain Brook Pegmatite, Wentworth, NH Specimen Size: 6 cm specimen of parallel pair of terminated schorl crystals. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: Notes: Extracting undamaged brittle tourmaline crystals from surrounding pegmatite is very difficult. Terminations are frequently "dinged."
SCHORL Murphy Prospect, Springfield, NH 3 cm specimen of terminated schorl crystal.	Species: SCHORL Locality: Murphy Prospect, Springfield, NH Specimen Size: 3 cm specimen of terminated schorl crystal. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: Notes: Voucher specimen for schorl crystals to be found at tne Murphy Prospect.
SCHORL Puffer Mine, N. Groton, NH 1.4 cm, 360 degree complete, schorl crystal.	Species: SCHORL Locality: Puffer Mine, N. Groton, NH Specimen Size: 1.4 cm, 360 degree complete, schorl crystal. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: 1534 Notes: Complete schorl crystals are rare at the Puffer Mine.
SCHORL Puffer Mine, N. Groton, NH 2.4 cm specimen with terminated schorl crystal in quartz matrix.	Species: SCHORL Locality: Puffer Mine, N. Groton, NH Specimen Size: 2.4 cm specimen with terminated schorl crystal in quartz matrix. Field Collected: Tom Mortimer Catalog No.: 1535 Notes: This is the second of only two schorl specimens found after several hours of dump digging at the Puffer Mine.
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