Elbaite Tourmaline

Coronel Murta is gem-pegmatite bearing region in the north east of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais and during 2019 a new discovery was made of pink Elbaite Tourmaline crystals.  The majority of these were purchased by Crystal Classics and now they have been cleaned, and in some cases broken crystals repaired, this beautiful material is now available.  The Elbaite, which measures 4.0 cm long, is composed of essentially gemmy Elbaite which becomes clouded by internal disruptions and feathered optical inclusions in the Tourmaline lattice.  A single, ex. matrix, transparent cerise-pink crystal, triangular in cross-section, which in some orientations appears to have a cerise core and paler pink prism faces.  About 5 mm below the termination the Elbaite becomes almost colourless and entirely gemmy before terminating with a flat hot-cerise pink pinacoid.  The prism faces are vertically striated with a stunning bright glassy lustre.  The pinacoid is semi-matt and waxy.  A beautiful example of Elbaite Tourmaline from this recent discovery in Brazil and mounted vertically on a small colourless acrylic base.