Elbaite, Albite, Quartz - image 1

Elbaite, Albite, Quartz

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Elbaite on albite and quartz, the famous “Steamboat” tourmaline, 28 cm (counting quartz crystal base), found in the Tourmaline King mine, San Diego County, California, in 1907. Ex collection of Washington Roebling (1837–1926).

Product details

SpeciesElbaite, Quartz, Albite
SizeMuseum
Dimensions2800.0 cm
Added on02/13/2026
LocalityUSA, California, Tourmaline King Mine
Publications
  • Mineralogical Record Mineral Collections In American Northeast page 345
Current owner
Smithsonian Institution

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Previous owners
DateCollectorAcquisition price
—Washington A. RoeblingNot disclosed

Learn more

Tourmaline
Mineral guide
Learn about Elbaite
color range and crystal variety define a diverse group; top localities, value factors, quality assessment, and care tips for collectors.
Tourmaline
Regional guide
Tourmaline from Tourmaline King Mine
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Locality guide
Tourmaline King Mine
Tourmaline King Mine, USA — classic Pala district locality famed for rubellite and multicolored elbaite, rare-element pegmatites, and historic specimens.