Elbaite

W

0 for sale

Elbaite, 6.4 cm, from Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Under the right conditions, the evolving solutions that provided for the growth of crystals could later bring about their partial dissolution or etching. I especially like this tourmaline scepter—with a heavily etched prism yet an unaltered termination—because it shows the surprisingly aesthetic effects that this unique “destructive” process can create. Etched tourmaline specimens such as this are rare. Will Johnson collection; Tom Spann photo.