Elbaite with Quartz and Lepidolite - image 1

Elbaite with Quartz and Lepidolite

Unknown Owner

This is a very fine matrix specimen of Elbaite tourmaline from Brazil. It is from the modern day classic pegmatite occurrence at Coronel Murta in Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais state. As a matrix piece, it nicely portrays the associated species within this pegmatite, which in this case includes purple lithium-rich mica - Lepidolite - and Quartz. Two prismatic Elbaite tourmaline crystals rise up from the matrix in a 'V'-shaped fashion. The smaller of the crystals, at 1.8 cm in length, has a raspberry-red body colour and pale teal-blue tip, but the crystal is incomplete on its back side and is glassy, but not gemmy. The second crystal, at 2 cm in length, is stunning - a perfectly terminated, flat-topped gemmy teal-blue prism with a thin red tip. This crystal, although small, and repaired, is an absolute delight, displaying the richest colour and excellent shape. The specimen is repaired in at least two places, but the sheer quality of the main teal-blue terminated Elbaite crystal is remarkable, and being on matrix makes it much more special. Despite it being repaired there is no escaping that this is an extremely fine specimen for the price.