Tourmaline in Quartz

The aesthetics of this Tourmaline and Quartz specimen are superb and it is without doubt a wonderful example of granitic pegmatite mineralisation.  From the Himalaya mine at Mesa Grande in California, USA, the bicoloured nature of the two Tourmaline crystals and the way they are half-set in the side of the leaning, slightly smoky Quartz crystal make this a quite captivating specimen.  The two Tourmaline crystals measure approximately 3.2 x 1.2 x 1.1 cm and 2.9 x 1.1 x 0.9 cm, and each is half embedded in the perfectly terminated smoky Quartz.  Most of the Tourmaline prisms are translucent bubble-gum pink with a graded 3 mm deep electric-lime-green termination.  End-on, the flat pinacoid terminations are a fascinating acidic apple-green.  Adding to its overall beauty, the basal sections of both Tourmaline crystals fade to pinkish green.  This small cabinet specimen will look beautiful when displayed and is a one any collector will be rightly proud of.