Cuprian Tourmaline

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About 10 years ago a small find of extremely fine, thumbnail size crystals of cuprian elbaite, was uncovered near Paraiba, Brazil. Most went to the cutter before it was realized that the unique color was due to novel inclusion of COPPER in the tourmaline crystal lattice, making these a new varietal of tourmaline. Fine cut stones have sold for MORE than diamond prices in recent years. This blue green crystal is one of the very few I have personally seen from that find, and one of only a few pieces ever found on matrix. The crystal measures 1.00 cm in length. It is gemmy, and beautiful. The price seems high, sure, but it is NOT your normal tourmaline...this is the ultimate tourmaline rarity that also by chance is the aesthetic thumbnail from hell.