Elbaite

Unknown Owner

This large miniature to small cabinet specimen of bi-coloured Elbaite is from the famous Himalaya mine near Mesa Grande in San Diego County, California. It features a 5.2 cm long terminated glassy, pink-brown prismatic Elbaite crystal with a dark green cap attached to a cream coloured porous Feldspar matrix. The Elbaite crystal has a great, damage-free stepped termination and prominent vertical striations up its length. The base of this crystal is a fractured surface, but is so near to the base of the specimen that it is not overly visible when displayed. The rest of the crystal is in extremely fine condition. The dark green cap to the Elbaite crystal is actually colour-zoned too, with a much paler green gemmy tip. This paler green colour also extends vertically down one side of the crystal. A very displayable Himalaya mine Elbaite.