Detailed information
Species
Elbaite, var. Rubellite
Dimensions
48 x 70 x 42
mm
Weight
103 g
Locality
Otjua Mine Karibib District Erongo Region, Namibia
Condition
No recorded repairs
Deep cranberry-red in colour, this short (3.5 cm), but wide (3.7 cm) prismatic Elbaite crystal from Otjua mine is quite an unusual colour for a Namibian tourmaline. Partly embedded within a beige coloured brecciated Feldspar matrix it presents a broad flat pinacoid termination and prominent classic vertical prism face striations down its two exposed sides. A 2 x 1 cm sliver from the edge of one side is missing, fractured away, but this is actually a very fine display piece for this rare Rubellite colour. With side lighting its colour intensity steps up a notch and although naturally quite dark coloured it has bright flashes from internal reflections. Most likely from discoveries during the 1980s and 1990s.
