Tourmaline var rubellite

A magnificent example of tourmaline and lepidolite from this famed Brazilian locale at the Cruzeiro Mine

This lustrous and translucent to gemmy, superb elbaite crystal exhibits various shades of saturated cranberry-red and magenta color. It is among the most red tourmalines I have seen, from a huge pocket found in 2013 and metering out to the market.

Let me start by start by saying that this specimen is complete, pristine, complete, undamaged, and unrepaired. This gorgeous specimen hosts a pair of sharp, pristine crystals of rubellite tourmaline prominently perched on a matrix of deep purplish lepidolite.

The largest crystal's termination shows an intense red cap with an intense magenta ring on top while the smaller crystal shows a zone of almost colorless at the termination. The smaller crystal sits 90 degrees on top oft he main crystal. A real aesthetic aspect.

Upon close study one can see that the main crystal travels through much of the matrix and is actually doubly terminated.

Specimens like this are quite rare and unrepaired and undamaged are exponentially so.

Location: From Cruzeiro mine, São José da Safira, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Measures: 2,5 x 7.0 x 1.3 cm in total size

And many thanks to Laszlo Kupi from Finemineralphotography for this fantastic shot! @finemineralphotography