Tourmaline

Unknown Owner

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Hubert Monmonier haunted the Himalaya tourmaline production for decades and loved unusual crystals. This piece shows dramatically the tectonic bending (break-and-heal cycles during growth resulting in a "bent" crystal) which is sometimes seen in this mine. The crystal "broke and healed" in little bitty increments during growth, to produce this curve you see. The termination is sharp and stunning - a rich, deep maroon-red color. The crystal also happens to be a doubly-terminated floater, with excellent deep red-pink color and translucency to it! Save only for one tiny ding, it is pristine. It is a floater, complete all around, top and bottom. 29 grams. From the collection of Hubert De Monmonier (1919-2007), donated by bequest to the University of Arizona Museum to add to their displays and to provide specimens for sale to establish an endowment fund for museum operations, in perpetuity.