Elbaite (Tourmaline group)

A beautiful and striking off-matrix specimen of Elbaite Tourmaline from the cassiterite mining district of the Jos Plateau in the Plateau State of central Nigeria. A tightly clustered group of about 12 Elbaite crystals in parallel growth form an exquisite aligned gemmy assemblage. Beginning with a subtle hint of pinkish-red around the base, the initial 1.5 to 3 cm prisms (depending on the length of each individual crystal) are a splendid and subtle indigo-aquamarine blue which grade to a rich chrome-leaf-green to near the terminations. All the crystals have complex, slightly pyramidal terminations with a finely pitted, deep green matt lustre.  All prism faces are vertically striated with a bright glassy lustre.  A highly attractive Nigerian Elbaite Tourmaline that will display beautifully.