Tourmaline with Lepidolite

This most stunning miniature Tourmaline (probably Elbaite) is bicoloured, grading from pale sage-green to gemmy bubble-gum pink and encrusted around two prism faces with Lepidolite mica crystals.  This gorgeous, ex-matrix crystal is from the Himalaya mine at Mesa Grande in San Diego County, California, a locality synonymous with magnificent gem pegmatite specimens.  Although not of cuttable gem-grade material, the entire crystal is completely gemmy and glows stunning hot fuchsia-pink when backlit.  The attached Lepidolite mica crystals are themselves worthy specimens, forming superb semi-hexagonal stacked books of lilac crystal platelets; without doubt, Lepidolite at its best.  To complete this beautiful specimen, tiny cream Albite crystals are sparsely dusted over the Lepidolite.  A choice and elegant miniature Tourmaline with excellent Lepidolite.