Tourmaline (var. Elbaite)

This is a small but intensely colourful zoned elbaite crystal. The label only lists Minas Gerais for the locality, but my guess would be the world-famous Cruzeiro Mine, one of Brazil’s premier sources of gem tourmaline. The piece exhibits vibrant, saturated pink colour throughout. Nearer the termination, the colour zoning becomes a deeper cranberry-red with a thin (<1 mm) yellow-orange top.

The crystal has excellent lustre, with bright, glassy faces and the classic vertical striations characteristic of high-quality elbaite. It is gemmy and weighs 3.2 grams, making it an ideal thumbnail-sized display or cutter’s specimen. A fine, colourful, and eye-catching example of (possible) Cruzeiro tourmaline, known for producing some of the most beautiful elbaite crystals in the world.