Elbaite with Lepidolite

This very large miniature specimen of Elbaite tourmaline from the famous pegmatites at Coronel Murta in the Jequitinhonha Valley in northeastern Minas Gerais state, Brazil has some really great features, but a few flaws too. A prominent, 4.5 cm long, raspberry-pink tipped well-terminated prismatic Elbaite crystal stands tall from an 'island' of pale lilac Lepidolite mica intergrown with small fragmentary pink Elbaite crystals. This main Elbaite crystal is generally well-formed with fine overall shape and nice vertical growth lines, but the impression of a missing near horizontal tourmaline crystal half-way up that crystal detracts slightly from its overall impact. It has also been repaired approximately 2.8 cm down from the top, with a slight infill noted too. Its termination is fine and is enhanced by another short prismatic Elbaite crystal (1.8 cm in length) balanced on one edge. This separate crystal is terminated very nicely, with a gemmy pale raspberry-red tip and is zoned in colour, passing downwards into green shades, but is missing its lowermost section.

Unknown Owner

Product details

Species

Elbaite, Lepidolite

SizeSmall Cabinet

Dimensions6.6 x 4.0 x 4.0 cm

Locality

Brazil, Minas Gerais, Coronel Murta

Added on04/09/2025

Comments

Known provenance

2025/04