Watermelon Tourmaline with Lepidolite

Item Description

There are many outstanding Tourmaline localities around the world, but the prodigious Pederneira Mine is certainly in the highest of echelons in terms of specimen production both in quantity and quality. This celebrated mine for many years has been producing some of the most iconic and highly displayable Tourmaline specimens in the world. You'll find superior quality crystals that are found in a rainbow of colors from this locality. This beautiful cabinet sized piece is a classic "Watermelon" Tourmaline from circa 2010 finds. The "core" of this thick, striated, multi-terminated group is a rich pink hue, surrounded by an outer "rind" of wonderful deep green Tourmaline on the exterior. The terminations on the specimen have a slight "cat's eye" effect with more of a golden-yellow hue, which is not unheard of, but certainly rare for Tourmaline.. Additionally, there are some small light purple colored groups of "Lepidolite" sprinkled about for a nice touch of color. Please note that the species "Lepidolite" no longer exists, but since no alternative name has been approved, everybody still refers to purple/lilac colored Mica as "Lepidolite". You can also see some thin white bladed Albite (var: Cleavelandite) crystals on the piece as well. There are a few contacted areas around the terminations, but some of them are partially re-crystallized ("re-healed"). The piece has one clean repair, which is certainly acceptable in the context of these specimens, as nearly all of the bigger crystals from this mine have been repaired. VERY DIFFICULT to photograph correctly with the gemminess, luster, color and striations. Specimen weight is 179.2 grams. Not your typical Pederneira Tourmaline, and a great piece to add to any gem crystal suite, a Tourmaline collection or a collection of Brazilian minerals Priced at $4,800 in the inventory.