Tourmaline (pink and green) on Quartz (ex Rolando Gioia Collection)

Item Description

A gemmy, prismatic single crystal of Tourmaline with a lovely pink hue is highlighted by distinct green zoning along the exterior edges of the prism sitting on slightly smoky Quartz colored matrix. If you look down the "c" axis, you can actually see that this is what some would call a "watermelon" effect, as it has a pink "core" with a green rind on the outside. The termination is not damaged, and if you flip the piece over, both the Tourmaline and Quartz seemed to have recrystallized, so it's a near "floater" specimen (it is contacted on the side). Overall, it's a striking and eye-catching gem crystal display piece from this famous locality in Minas Gerais. From the collection of Rolando Gioia (a contributor to new definitive book on Brazilian minerals: "Minerais e Pedras Preciosas do Brasil").