Elbaite Tourmaline

Unknown Owner

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This gem crystal was one of Jack's famous "standing row of tourmalines" that decorated a several-foot long section of shelf space, arranged in a horizontal row of crystals that started at one inch tall on the left and reached to 7 or 8 inches tall, in a crescendo of color, and then down in size again to the right. Visually, it was a stunning sight and nothing like I have seen in any collection before. Many crystals still remain, though a few were deaccessioned here (see photo). I was shocked by that row from the first day I entered the home in the 1990s to see it. You can see this crystal clearly, 6th from the right, as it is so gemmy and has such an unusual color pattern. It remained in that spot for decades and now is available to a new home. This stunning crystal is actually COMPLETELY GEMMY and transparent when strongly backlit. At 60 grams, it is not small! And, it is extremely impactful. I cannot recall seeing another with such pattern. He thought that he bought this from Peter Bancroft after one of his trips to Brazil, and it would have been in the 1970s in any case as it is #464 in the collection.