Elbaite from Brazil, Minas Gerais, São José da Safira, Cruzeiro Mine

Elbaite var. Rubellite

Cruzeiro Mine, Sao Jose da Safira, Minas Gerais, Brazil

8.1 x 2 x 1.7 cm

Ex. Tom Campbell, Marco Torino

A single elongated prismatic crystal of rubellite tourmaline, terminated at the top and doubly-terminated in effect by a broken/etched base showing the trigonal cross-section faintly. The prism faces carry strong striations parallel to the c-axis, characteristic of elbaite. Color zoning is prominent: deep, almost blackish-red core tones grading into

A single elongated prismatic crystal of rubellite tourmaline, terminated at the top and doubly-terminated in effect by a rehealed base showing the trigonal cross-section faintly. The prism faces carry strong striations parallel to the c-axis, characteristic of elbaite. Color zoning is prominent: deep, almost blackish-red core tones grading into vivid magenta-pink toward the prism faces, with lighter pink patches. suggesting internal fracturing or partial healing (the frosted, feathery pink zones along cleavage/fracture planes). The termination shows small dark inclusions (possibly lepidolite/mica remnants) scattered across the top face. Surface luster is vitreous, with good transparency through the pink zones and near-opacity in the darker zones.