SOLD
SM21-153
Elbaite Tourmaline
Pederneira Mine, Sao Jose da Safira, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Small Cabinet, 8.2 x 2.0 x 1.4 cm
SOLD

This gorgeous, completely gem green Elbaite Tourmaline is an exquisite Tourmaline from one of the most notable Elbaite localities on the planet, from its heyday of around 2005. It has an elegant shape to it, rather than just being a single "stick" in form. It measures a full three and a quarter inches in length and nearly three-quarters of an inch across at the widest area at the top. It consists of three distinct crystals in a tightly diverging group with a half dozen, smaller, less distinct, sidecar crystals. The color of this lovely piece is really a subtle, gradational two-tone with the interior bottom third dominated by an olive green core with the exterior, and the remaining two-thirds of the crystal a distinct, rich, teal-green. The wonderful aspect of this Tourmaline is that it easily transmits light so that the rich teal-green color glows even in only minimal lighting. It is largely gem transparent with minor horizontal veils and a translucent spot near the bottom. Looking up the c-axis at the bottom, one can see that the crystal is partially hollow and skeletal with some secondary growth on the interior walls. The prism faces and pyramidal terminations of the composite crystals as well as the smaller sidecars are highly lustrous with light striations. This beauty has a mass of 34.75 grams. Old classic Pederneira style, attributed to the Rocket or Grandon pockets primarily. Seldom seen for sale these days.

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