Bluecap Tourmaline

Item Description

This is a classic specimen from the famous late-90s pocket of bluecaps found in the Sapo Mine and never seen since. These represent one of the most famous, most distinct, most-sought after finds of tourmaline since the Maine greens and the California bluecaps of the 1970s. Out of hundreds of pockets found since then, if not thousands, can most people honestly name another by pocket, and expect every other collector to instantly know which tourmaline style they refer to? At 6 grams, with such aesthetic form of the two intergrown crystals, this is a really cute example. To those familiar with these over the years, you know these are now rare as hens teeth and go for super premiums. I have had back only 3 or so in the last few years. This is one of only a few such sets of double crystals I have seen, just in from a customer in a trade. It is valued at least at $900 and this valuation may be a bit low, considering the 2009 Mineralogical Record article on this locale. The color variations from glassy sapphire-blue to cranberry-red, with a yellow zone in between are striking!