The main source, aside from Afric, is the Soviet Union where it is found in the Ural Mountains. Malachite occasionally occurs in small crystals and at other times is associated with the blue copper mineral azurite. The specimen comes from the Pederneira mine of Dilhermando near Sao Jose das Safiras, Minas Gerais, Brazil. It was purchased in the town of Governador Valadares from Dilhermando in the spring of 1985. This town is a gem and mineral trading center in Minas Gerais.
Tourmaline are our favorite mineral.
They come in many colors and often in beautiful natural settings. The most important localitions for tourmaline today are Brazil, Souther California and Afghanistan-Pakistan. The Himalaya Mine produces mainly tourmaline and is the biggest producer of tourmalines in the United States. It is operated by Pala International, whose president is Bill Larson. This specimen, mined in 1988, was obtained from Mr. Larson.