Rubellite Tourmaline on Feldspar, Malkhan Pegmatite Field, Krasnyi Chikoy, Zabaykalsky Krai, Russia

Measures: 8 cm tall x 8 cm wide

All rubellite tourmaline is compared to the famous Jonas Mine in Brazil, which for the past 50 years has held the title for the finest known. These reddish purple rubellites from Russia are the first to truly challenge that notion. They were mined several years ago in a remote location, near the border of Mongolia, with great difficulty under extremely harsh and frigid conditions. The deep burgundy tourmaline crystals growing out of a whitish feldspar matrix create a distinct and captivating contrast. This particular tourmaline is unusually transparent for this locality.