Elbaite

$1,200.00

$40.00 shipping
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The Otjua mine in Karibib District, Erongo Region is one of the best-known gem pegmatite deposits in Namibia. Sometimes called the Becker pegmatite it is famous for polychrome Elbaite tourmaline, but fine crystal specimens even of single colour Elbaite are very rare, with most having been mined during the 1970s. This small cluster of three main prismatic Elbaite crystals from Otjua mine presents a really fine, rich, 'rubellite' colour, with very pronounced zoning from a deep, almost purple body transitioning upwards to a gemmier translucent cherry pink tip. Dominated by a stout, 3 cm tall prismatic crystal, terminated with a flat pinacoid face, it is accompanied by two smaller, similarly coloured prisms attached alongside its base. One of these crystals runs straight into the main crystal and so has no visible termination, but the other is parallel to the edges of the the main crystal, but runs at 45 degress to its prism orientation with a similar flat pinacoid termination. A dusting of finely crystallized vibrant cerise-pink Elbaite coats the surfaces between the three main crystals, but the other Elbaite crystal faces are clean and nicely formed. There is slight chipping around the edges of the main termination, but overall this is an a very fine rubellite for Namibia. Ex Eike Pätz Collection.