A RARE TOURMALINE RING The oval-shaped dravite tourmaline weighing approximately 8.50cts, within a four-claw setting, mounted in 18K gold, with maker's mark 'JB', French assay mark, ring size O½ Although seldom seen in jewellery due to the absence of sizable, transparent crystals, dravite holds significant appeal for gem enthusiasts. Dravite’s can be found across numerous locales, including Australia, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Russia, Nepal, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Tanzania, and the United States. Notably, dravite possesses a hardness favourable to jewellery crafting, offering the potential to become a captivating, faceted gemstone worthy of admiration. It is a member of the tourmaline family and is characterized by its rich hues ranging from brown to brownish black, occasionally transitioning into dark yellow or dark orange-brown. Exhibiting a lustre that ranges from transparent to opaque. Often referred to as brown tourmaline, dravite name pays homage to its initial discovery along the Drava River in southern Central Europe by Gustav Tschermak in 1884.