Tourmaline (Var: Rubellite), Lepidolite

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This large matrix is shot through with opaque crystals of rubellite tourmaline of a deep salmon-red color, still embedded in the host matrix of massive lepidolite in which they formed. There are dozens of crystals here! It is most interesting to see tourmaline crystals in situ, particularly when the specimen is this rich and from a classic locality! This material historically was very prized as carving rough as far back as the early 1900s and much was sold to China as well as to gift shops and the like in the US. Now, it is hard to come by. Though massive, this is a good example of classic old San Diego commercial carving rough.