Elbaite and Quartz

Unknown Owner

Help improve this recordNo owner is registered for this specimen yet. If it's yours or you know more about it, you can add the owner, provenance, publications and other details.

Unique in the world of tourmalines, the deep burgundy-red, to cerise, 'mushroom' Elbaite crystals from Momeik Township in Myanmar, which were discovered in the late 1990s, have an enduring fascination. Most were free from matrix, with those on Quartz, like this one, a rarity. Often with a darker core of Schorl, the cerise Elbaite tourmaline never really approaches the standard prismatic crystallized form, instead showing a slightly divergent growth which often fans out considerably higher up. On some specimens, like this one, the mushroom-like spray of Elbaite is shrouded around it base, or stem, by an additional growth of somewhat botryoidal Elbaite crystals. The accompanying Quartz crystals are pale smoky-cream in colour and form an unusual ring-like structure pointing gently inwards towards the 4 cm tall 'mushroom' Elbaite centerpiece. Rarely seen in this quality, this is your chance to own one of the most unusual habits of tourmaline known. This piece comes with a custom-made acryllic display stand with its species name and locality engraved into it.