Updated 4d ago

Elbaite

$7,500.00

$40.00 shipping
Seller offers an extended return window of up to 30 days
Ships from USA

The Manoel Mutuca mine, or claim, at Virgem da Lapa is often described as a obscure pegmatite as it has produced some magnificent gem-quality tourmaline crystals, but very infrequently compared with other famous Brazilian sites. Superb gem tourmaline was mined there during the 1950s or 1960s but its quality was so good that most was sent for gem cutting, making individual crystals extremely rare. A more recent discovery, during the early 2000s, uncovered a very small pocket with just a handful of world-class gemmy Indicolite-green/blue sceptre crystals. I am not certain, but I would place this fine large multi-parallel growth of prismatic Elbaite tourmaline crystals from this more recent find, but without the development of the sceptre. That said, it displays exceptional lustre and a super-intense gemmy green and light blue colour, particularly apparent when backlit. The crystals are well terminated with pronounced vertical striations. A magnificent Elbaite var. Indicolite from this rarer source locality. The specimen comes with a purpose made acryllic display stand.