Tourmaline (rough and cut set) - image 1

Tourmaline (rough and cut set)

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4.3 x 3.3 x 2.8 cm (Specimen); 11.62 carats; 17.19 mm x 9.52 mm (Gem) - Tourmaline is one of the most popular gems and minerals in the world, and has a such a wide range of colors. The "rough" end of this set features a classic crystal from the most famous Tourmaline locality in Pakistan, Stak Nala. It has a multicolor gradiation ranging from a soft pink pyramidal termination into a very thin colorless "Achroite" zone that gives way to a fine yellow-green color, then into a very dark green (virtually black) hue throughout the rest of the crystal. A large "rosette" of white bladed Albite (var: Cleavelandite) hugs the Tourmaline crystal for a beautiful effect. The stone for all intents and purposes has a remarkably similar color pattern, which is nearly impossible to find when the colors are so different from one another. The crazy part to me is that the gem is actually from NIgeria, so you have two distant localities producing multi-color Tourmalines with nearly identical color configurations. The gem has some very slight inclusions, and a typical "Emerald" cut, but the fact that it matches the rough so well is what counts here.