Tourmaline (rare purple color) (ex Rolando Gioia Collection)

Item Description

Of all the colors of Tourmaline, purple is certainly rare, even from a country like Brazil that has produced thousands of crystals. The overall coloration of this crystal is strange for Tourmaline, as the majority of the prism shows purplish hues (with a slight silvery-pink overtone), and the base of the crystal exhibits a gemmy blue zone. The top of the crystal is a bit more hazy where as the lower portion is notably gemmier, even transparent near the base. Unfortunately, there is a contact on the termination, but the overall gemminess and unique coloring makes it a very desirable and rare Tourmaline specimen to add to a gem crystal suite or a collection of Tourmalines. Weight is 11.22 grams. From the collection of Rolando Gioia (a contributor to new definitive book on Brazilian minerals: "Minerais e Pedras Preciosas do Brasil").