Tourmaline (partially replaced by Lepidolite)

Item Description

Tourmaline is not a mineral that most people associate with pseudomorphing / replacement, but the Tourmalines from the Urubu Mine are some of the most distinctive and interesting examples out there. This piece is a really interesting replacement specimen as it started out as solid crystals of green Tourmaline, but now the inner portion of the crystals have been replaced by beige Lepidolite Mica. The truly interesting aspect to me is that the replacement took place from the CENTER of the crystals and worked its way to the exterior, which is not typical for this phenomenon in mineral species, as they are often replaced from the exterior first and the interior will remain as the original species. I love the fact that the original green Tourmalines are still present, so this isn't Tourmaline coating Lepidolite, it's genuinely Lepidolite replacing Tourmaline from the inside out! If you collect gem crystals, pseudomorphs / replacements, unique specimen or just Brazilian specimens in general, don't miss out on this really interesting and rare example for your collection.