Elbaite (Tourmaline)

This long and slender pink Elbaite Tourmaline crystal, 7.8 cm long, is from a recently discovered gem Tourmaline pocket found in the mining district of Coronel Murta in Minas Gerais, Brazil.  This ex-matrix crystal is colour zoned between rose-pink and almost colourless Elbaite, with a particularly distinct, pink-tinged colourless band 7 mm deep immediately below a 2 mm thick intense rose-pink flat pinacoid termination.  This crystal has undergone two repairs following breaks during tectonic disturbance while in-situ, a common tendency with Tourmaline pockets. Each repair has been done by experts in this field, rendering them invisible.  The termination is frosted with several tiny stubby Elbaite crystals scattered over.  In cross-section the prism forms a convexly-curved equilateral triangle.  The prism is semi-transparent with plenty of gemmy zones which are dispersed throughout slightly cloudy Elbaite and micro-crackled crystal growth.  The prism faces are finely and complexly striated, with deep grooved striations along one face.  Tiny, sub-1 mm white milky Quartz crystals are richly scattered around the base.  A beautiful Elbaite Tourmaline from Coronel Murta.