Elbaite - Tourmaline with Quartz and Lepidolite

This 2.2 cm tall Elbaite Tourmaline crystal is from a new gem pocket found in the Coronel Murta district of Minas Gerais in Brazil. The pocket contained a stunning variety of vivid pink Elbaite crystals associated with various combinations of typical pegmatite species such as Quartz and Lepidolite Mica, both of which are crystalised on this specimen. The Elbaite forms a squat prism, 1.3 x 1.3 cm in cross-section and is a mix of gemmy and translucent cerise-pink, with the more gemmy zones dominating. The final 3 mm beneath the termination becomes a cloudy translucent bubble gum pink. Two milky-white Quartz crystals grown outwards from one side and opposite these are several granular florets of pale lavender Lepidolite mica. The crystal has a curved triangular pinacoid termination. No repairs have been made to this specimen and it is displayed nicely on a small colourless acrylic base.