Rubellite from Brazil, Minas Gerais, Conselheiro Pena, Jonas Mine

Tourmaline (Elbaite, var. Rubellite) with Lepidolite, from the Jonas Mine. The specimen measures 4.8 cm long overall; the deep red/cranberry colored tourmaline is 3.5 cm long nestled between light silvery-purple Lepidolite clusters at both ends and also has an aesthetic Lepidolite crystal cluster attached to one side of the tourmaline part of the way up. From the famous 1978 Jonas Pocket that set the world standard for rubellite color. This one is a complete floater all around- no damage. Was in the Wentzell Gem Trust collection until December 2014. Locality reference: Mineralogical Record vol. 43 #3 (May/June 2012) p. 289-317.