Tourmaline var Rubellite

Something special: A "Mushroom" Rubellite on matrix with Quartz. A very balanced specimen from Mogok, Myanmar (Burma)

This is one of the single best examples I have seen of the so-called "mushroom" tourmalines from late 1990s finds in Mogok. It has saturated, intense raspberry magenta color, and a bit of sparkle that some of these simply lack. The rubellite spray grew around a schorl core, and from underneath you can see that schorl in the middle, with a bit of albite and the Quartz crystal host matrix as well.

A "Mushroom" Tourmaline has most unusual morphology consiting of a Rubellite spray growing around a Schorl core as shown. This specimen is slilghtly translucent, the raspberry-red color ot the outer portion contrasts perfectly with the white matrix. You can also see the triagonal symmetry which all members of the Tourmaline family possess. The balance of the Tourmaline sitting perfectly on the matrix with the small quartz crystal is outstanding and I never saw a better one in person.

Location: From Palelni Mine ("Kat Chay Mine"), Khetchel Village, Momeik Township, Mogok, Kyaukme District, Shan State, Myanmar (Burma)

Measures: 11.3 cm by 6.3 cm by 5.8 cm in total size

And many thanks to Laszlo Kupi from Finemineralphotography for this fantastic shot! @finemineralphotography