Elbaite Tourmaline

This ex. matrix, single terminated crystal of pink Elbaite Tourmaline has recently come from a new gem pocket found in the Coronel Murta district of Minas Gerais, Brazil.  Occasionally large crystal-lined pockets are encountered in granite pegmatites with the gem crystals having been largely protected by enveloping clay minerals, a breakdown product of Feldspar.  This charming thumbnail with a rich, hot fuchsia-pink prism, terminates with a delicate creamy, ice-cream pink termination which slopes through the prism forming a coloured cap 1 to 5 mm deep.  The Elbaite, which measures 2.3 cm tall, has vertical striations and a bright and glassy lustre, whereas the pinacoid has a semi-reflective, waxy lustre.  There are no repairs to this specimen and the crystal is displayed nicely on a small colourless acrylic base.