Elbaite var. Rubellite

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The Malkhan pegmatite field near the small city of Krasnyi Chikoy in Chitinskaya Oblast, Zabaykalsky Krai, Russia was only discovered in the 1980s but has produced some stunning gem crystals. The most eye-catching are the rich cranberry-red Rubellite tourmalines, just like those famous from 'Siberia' during the 19th century. At 14.6 cm tall, and reaching over 5 cm in diameter, this Elbaite var. Rubellite is a colossus of a crystal from this region. Not only is it large and intensely coloured, but it is well terminated too, and displays classic tourmaline vertical growth lines up its prism sides. It is a big, prominent, museum quality individual Rubellite crystal.