Elbaite with Cleavelandite and Smoky Quartz

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The vibrancy in colour in this Elbaite tourmaline from Paprok, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan is out of this world. A row of co-joined parallel prismatic Elbaite crystals, all of identical height (1.9 cm) and with one long smooth glassy pinacoid termination stand up upon a bed of Cleavelandite feldspar with Smoky Quartz in association too. The Elbaite crystals are not only of equal height, but show identical colour zoning too, with extremely deep olive-green bases transitioning rapidly at about halfway up to a vivid acid-green translucent upper section with thin colourless to faintly pinkish tips. Beneath the bed of white Cleavelandite terminated Smoky Quartz crystals extend downwards and a larger pale Smoky Quartz crystal rises up alongside the Elbaites on the upper surface. With directional lighting the Elbaite crystals simply 'zing'. Small cabinet in size, this is an Afghan tourmaline of the highest quality. Yes, the overall height of the Elbaite crystals is not huge, but their appearance is simply perfection. This specimen comes with a custom-made Sunnywood acryllic display stand for optimal display.