Detailed information
Species
Elbaite, var. Rubellite
Dimensions
30 x 38 x 25
mm
Weight
56 g
Locality
Malkhan pegmatite field Krasnyi Chikoy, Chitinskaya Oblast Zabaykalsky Krai, Russia
Condition
No recorded repairs
The remote Malkhan pegmatite field is located near to Russia's border with Mongolia, 'near' meaning within a hundred miles, when small towns are usually several hundred miles apart. This lovely individual terminated crystal has superb colour - a really intense deep raspberry red to pink. Standing 3.8 cm tall, and nicely crystallized with prominent vertical striations up the length of the prism, and with a three-sided classic Tourmaline pyramidal termination, this is a really fine Elbaite from this region. The termination faces are glassy and bright, but show an unusual pitted appearance. Looking from beneath, upwards, the crystal has a white internal core, surrounded by vivid pink glassy edges. Upwards, these glassy, gemmy pink and red shades broaden to encompass the whole of the termination. A very colourful Russian Tourmaline.