Tourmaline

Although this thumbnail specimen is labelled Tourmaline, I think it correct to add it is an Elbaite, from the district of Araçuaí (Arassuaí) in Minas Gerais, Brazil. A single ex-matrix Elbaite with a translucent candy pink prism, with a lime then olive-leaf green cap. The crystal terminates with a flat pinacoid, mirror smooth with three bevelled corners forming a hexagonal cap. Small crystals of pale lilac Lepidolite mica partly encompass the base of the prism. A pretty thumbnail Elbaite from Araçuaí.