Perfect hexagonal crystals of violet Lepidolite in a cluster with small gem clear Tourmalines. The Tourmaline (Elbaite) is a pale pink to almost colorless and are in perfect condition as well. Even though Lepidolite is not uncommon, good crystals are surprisingly rare. These are sharp, thick and most have the flat termination faces hosting a circular zone of white microcrystalline Feldspar. Both unusual and esthetic, a choice and attractive specimen of Lepidolite crystals.
Elbaite - Bubble gum pink tourmaline
stock #23.1-276
Tsanigal Pegmatite, Pachigram
Nuristan,
Afghanistan
4.5 x .9 x .7 CM (miniature)
price: $480
Spring 23
Gemmy bubble-gum pink Elbaite crystal from a new find in a little known pegmatite in the Pachigram (Afghan) area. Unlike earlier finds nearby, the crystals in this single pocket are more slender in proportion and can have a slightly colorless or blue zone at the termination. This is in excellent, undamaged condition, it is even fully recrystallized on the bottom end, so it is techically doubly terminated. Most of these were broken from their matrix in natural events long ago, but some like this have rehealed the original connection point. An attractive Tourmaline from an unusual locality.
Elbaite (castellated termination)
stock #15.1-509
Paprok, Kamdesh District
Nuristan,
Afghanistan
7.1 x 5.1 x 4.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $1150
Rubellite variety Elbaite crystals in a complex cluster on contrasting matrix. The termination is a series of sharp spires and a deep recessed void that also contains spikes of Tourmaline. The Elbaite is translucent to transparent in fine condition. The matrix is also well-crystalized and overgrown with white Albite. From a find more than 10 years ago at Paprok this is quite different than the usual material seen from this famed mine. Esthetic and attractive on all sides.
SOLD Elbaite with Lepidolite and Cleavelandite
stock #SOLD 22.1-608-(YL)
Paprok, Kamdesh District
Nuristan,
Afghanistan
5.2 x 2.9 x 2.4 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $0
Fall 22
A colorful miniature to small cabinet sized Tourmaline on matrix. From the famed Paprock pegmatites, this has a gem clear Elbaite crystal with a mint green color and subtle zoning perched on a purple matrix. In excellent condition overall the main Elbaite has a perfect, sharp termination. Larger specimens that have this form and quality can be very expensive, this miniature is a very good value for an fine Gem crystal piece.
Elbaite on Quartz
stock #19.1-357
Paprok, Kamdesh District
Nuristan,
Afghanistan
3.3 x 1.9 x .9 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $120
A cute thumbnail featuring a zoned Elbaite crystal 2.3 CM long. Complete, undamaged and terminated, the color is a mint pastel green. With strong magnification a tiny Hambergite crystal is seen on one face of the Tourmaline.
Elbaite- gem crystal cluster
stock #15.1-419
Paprok, Kamdesh District
Nuristan,
Afghanistan
5.2 x 1.1 x .8 CM (cabinet)
price: $800
Spring 2019
100 percent gem Tourmaline in a joined cluster of prisms having 4 separate terminations on the "top". The crystal is doubly terminated so there is a fifth termination (flat type) on the bottom. I count 4 colors in zones but two are rather small and not distinct. The whole is perfectly transparent and facet grade, there is no damage even under good magnification. This is from a major find at Paprock some years back that has since dried up. These polychrome crystals are very distinct and are immediately recognizable from that find.
Elbaite - ex Herb Obodda collection
stock #AX-30-020
Mawi Pegmatite
Nuristan,
Afghanistan
3.8 x .7 x .7 CM (miniature)
price: $1200
pre Tucson 2015 update
Superb. A sharp, gem clear multi-colored Tourmaline crystal in perfect condition from the early finds in Afghanistan. Not much else to say, the photos show it well. This quality is now very rare and hard to find at any price. The central green zone is a rich vivid color, not like the pastel hue that was typical from later finds in Paprok. Far better in person.
Elbaite (pencil Tourmaline) on Quartz
stock #10.1-202
Paprok, Kamdesh District
Nuristan,
Afghanistan
6.8 x 5.7 x 2.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $1480
Spring 2014
A remarkable, fine small cabinet with an elegant form. A sharp, gemmy 5.7 CM long Elbaite crystal impales a quartz crystal at an angle thrusting its termination into the air. The Tourmaline shows good zoning from green to pink at the tip and has a colorless zone as well. From 2006 season mining in Paprok, there were not many like this found then and none since. The main Elbaite is in excellent condition damage-wise, the quartz is contacted on the back with some tiny broken Elbaites that are not so evident. All in all this displays very well and is a welcomed change from the "same old" esthetic of most Tourmalines!
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