A discovery around 2019 yielded a handful these rainbow colored tourmalines, like nothing ever seen before. Pictured here is (likely) the only matrix specimen from this small find. The specimen features a 10cm rainbow colored (red to orange to yellow to green to bluish violet) tourmaline perched atop a perfect quartz crystal, which is coated in a matte white secondary quartz growth. The contrast between the matte white quartz and the lustrous rainbow tourmaline is striking. The specimen is accented by lilac colored lepidolite and a second terminated accessory tourmaline on the right side. A real masterpiece of nature.

When I visited Minas Gerais last year, most (maybe even all) of the mines and prospects in Coronel Murta had been shut down by the government. I’m not sure of the full story, but I understand that compliance with the complicated mining laws (and maybe some local politics) can be a complex issue. I hope the area can reopen and continue producing specimens, but there is no way to tell what the future will hold.

Specimen: 13 x 11 x 17 centimeters

Main crystal: 10 centimeters

Mark Cross collection and photo ©️