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Dravite is a member of the giant tourmaline family. In its best Sunday dress, it is charmingly golden honey colored, but in its Monday morning drab it may be too dark brown to be even called a gem, though I have seen some dark chocolate colored specimens that had their charm. Also cinnamon and amber hues are pretty.
Tourmaline, together with garnet, is one of the big gem varieties that come in almost every color, green and red being the most famous, while dravite is a little known lineage with sodium responsible for the brown, but it can mix with other tourmalines and form in-betweens with the most original color effects, including cat’s eyes and color changers.
Vanadium, and also chromium, dravite make for rare collector gems in striking colors and I will add some if they come my way.
Honey or golden dravite is a calm, serene gem, never pushy or showy but enjoyable and understated. Bigger sizes are available. Since brown is currently not on the top of the fashion list, their prices are as relaxing as their colors. Like all tourmalines, dravite is hard enough for any jewelry project and, if cut well, comes with good luster and even fire.
