Elbaite Tourmaline

Unknown Owner

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This is a classic specimen from the late-1990s pocket of blue-caps found in the Sapo Mine and never seen since. These represent one of the most famous, most distinct, most sought-after finds of tourmaline since the Maine greens and the California blue-caps of the 1970s. At over three and a half inches in length and a mass of 81 grams, with such elegant form, this is an important piece from that find! In addition to being a blue cap it is also a polychrome Tourmaline with much of the length dominated by rich, red Rubellite that transitions into one centimeter yellow-green zone and then a rather abrupt transition into medium blue then a dark blue Indicolite cap at the pinacoid termination. There are also a few smaller Tourmaline crystals in subparallel growth at the base which also sport blue caps. As a bonus, it has an etched, double-termination on the opposing end. Comes with a custom engraved acrylic base. Superb old quality, rarely seen today.