Elbaite var. Rubellite with Muscovite - image 1

Elbaite var. Rubellite with Muscovite

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Teófilo Otoni is a less often mentioned Brazilian tourmaline occurrence situated in the eastern part of Minas Gerais. This 5.4 cm tall single crystal of Elbaite, var. Rubellite is possibly from the finds of the 1970s. Unlit, it has a lovely raspberry colour: darker towards the termination and paler at its base. When backlit shades of orange appear with a nice translucency. The crystal itself, sits nicely for display with platy Muscovite crystals and millimetre scale pale pink Elbaite crystals coating one side of the prism from the base to halfway up. The cleaner, other side of the prism is missing a thin section from halfway downward, where another crystal was once attached. The termination shows nicely developed faces, with some minor chipping around the edges, but with intense raspberry colour. Internally, the base is quite frosted, but its gemminess increases upwards to the termination. Overall, a very nice tourmaline from a less often encountered Brazilian locality.