Elbaite with Lepidolite

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For size and colour intensity this 13.2 cm long teal blue Elbaite tourmaline is a superb proposition for its price - this being perhaps lower than one might expect but because it is not fully terminated and has three repairs noted. Showing the much sought after teal blue colour for which the modern pegmatite workings at Coronel Murta in Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais state, Brazil are renowned, its dramatic length and great translucency are obvious strengths. Associated Lepidolite mica coats the top of the crystal which is a long sloping surface - possibly a very old fracture surface, or simply where the crystal grew in contact with the edge of a pocket - and small clusters of micaceous Lepidolite crystals are scattered around the base of the Elbaite crystal too. This base is a flat fracture surface which shows slight internal colour zoning. With backlighting the teal blue body colour of this crystal really stands out.