Detailed information
Species
Elbaite, Cleavelandite, Lepidolite
Dimensions
20 x 29 x 32
mm
Weight
14 g
Locality
Coronel Murta Jequitinhonha Valley Minas Gerais, Brazil
Condition
No recorded repairs
This is a cute, smaller miniature gem Elbaite tourmaline on matrix with no recorded repairs. Tourmaline crystals on matrix, and particularly ones that present so well for display, are much rarer than loose individual crystals. This lovely piece is from the modern pegmatite discoveries at Coronel Murta in Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Elbaite crystal reaches 2.8 cm tall and is probably longer still, as it skewers through a small bed of platy Albite (the variety Cleavelandite) and cream-coloured pearlescent Lepidolite mica groupings. Gemmy and transparent to translucent, the Elbaite crystal is almost entirely a pale greyish to aquamarine blue, but has a very thin darker blue layer across its flat termination. It is in excellent overall condition and presents very well.
