"Rocket Pocket" Tourmaline

2

One of just a handful of doubly terminated tourmaline crystals from the famed Rocket Pocket, found at the Pederneira Mine in 2001. The pocket was not breached favorably (i.e. blown up with dynamite), but this caused a fibrous layer on many crystals to break off, revealing the red cores at the base. The effect makes the crystals look like little rockets. I know of only three crystals from the pocket that were doubly terminated and not broken by the blasting. This is the best of those three.

Product details

SpeciesElbaite
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions9.2 x 3.0 x 3.0 cm
Weight45 grams
Added on02/27/2025
Current owner
Mark Cross
Tucson, Arizona, United States
Acquired
Jan 2025

Owner’s note

Purchased from James Webb/Focal Crystal

3 for sale·6 sold

Learn more

Tourmaline
Mineral guide
Learn about Elbaite
color range and crystal variety define a diverse group; top localities, value factors, quality assessment, and care tips for collectors.
Tourmaline
Regional guide
Tourmaline from Pederneira Mine, Brazil
Pederneira Mine, Brazil — landmark locality for collector-grade elbaite tourmaline; saturated colors, high transparency, and iconic pocket assortments.
Locality guide
Pederneira mine
Pederneira mine, Brazil — a lithium-rich tourmaline pegmatite famed for gemmy elbaite pockets, vivid colors, rare sub-localities, and coveted collector pieces.