Elbaite Tourmaline

Here is an incredibly attractive Elbaite Tourmaline from Paprok that stands apart from the usual polychrome crystals we see from there. This glassy and gorgeous, nearly three inch crystal starts out as a Schorl at its base which is evident on its base and the backside, then transitions upward into a beautiful, translucent to gemmy blue and then into a very gemmy pale purple near the termination with a marked change to jet black at the pedion (flat face) on the very top! Incredibly dramatic! This is a prime and spectacular example that shows the solid solution series (chemical continuity) between Elbaite and Schorl Tourmaline. The crystal is also striated parallel to its length as typical of most Tourmalines. It is just uniquely dramatic, and completed with a small matrix accent: Snow-white bladed clusters of Albite to 2.5 cm grace the sides of the stunning crystal and a few are also included within the Tourmaline! This is from earlier find at Paprok dating to the 1990s and we almost never see them for sale today anymore. No repairs or restorations. Ex. Luciano Pelligrini collection. From a famous, well known gem crystal collection of an Italian collector, sold off quietly a few years ago.

Unknown Owner

Product details

Species

Tourmaline, Elbaite

SizeSmall Cabinet

Dimensions7.0 x 6.4 x 3.5 cm

Locality

Afghanistan, Nuristan, Paprok

Added on10/23/2024

Comments

Known provenance

2025/12