A sharp and well-zoned gem Tourmaline crystal shows up to 6 separate color areas. The crystal is perfectly terminated and 4.1 CM tall, perched on the side of a single Quartz prism. The top section of the Elbaite is nearly colorless but in some light sources has a very pale purple-blue hue. The bottom section of the crystal is contacted, incomplete and rough but with a partial, crude termination. Well-striated and lustrous in person. From finds about 9 years ago at Stak Nala (Pakistan); this pocket had some usually vivid color with much less dark zone. There is a crack in the back of the Quartz crystal that looks like it has been repaired, this does not affect the Elbaite but it does make the price much lower than otherwise. Since the crack is not seen on normal display at all this gives an excellent value for a nice, sizable gem crystal on a fine matrix.
Elbaite with Cleavelandite - purple cap
stock #19.1-002
Stak Nala, Haramoush Mountains
Gilgit-Baltistan,
Pakistan
4.4 x 4.2 x 3.5 CM (miniature)
price: $400
New Year 22
A "purple cap" Tourmaline crystal set on contrasting white Cleavelandite. In fine condition, the termination is perfect and clear while the body of the crystal is dark and opaque. The Elbaite is 4 CM tall and the luster is very bright. Depending on the lighting used to display the piece the cap can look almost colorless or has a slight blue hue though in most settings the cap is a light violet. These are modern classics and as far as I know unique to this locality.
Elbaite - multi-color - on Cleavelandite
stock #19.1-014
Stak Nala, Haramoush Mountains
Gilgit-Baltistan,
Pakistan
4.3 x 4 x 2.8 CM (miniature)
price: $1350
new year 2021
A fantastic blue cap Tourmaline . The main crystal with four distinct bright colors dominates this esthetic miniature. The smaller side crystal is also a blue cap with three colors and a large percentage of bright pink. In perfect, undamaged condition, when examined under good magnification even more color zones can be seen as faint areas between the main parts. From Stak Nala which is one of the world's best localities for fine Tourmaline. From time to time some exotic and uncommon color combinations like this are found there. The dark area in the middle is actually a dark green when backlit with strong illumination. A fine addition to any suite of gem crystals or tourmaline collection.
Elbaite/ Schorl with Fluorite, Quartz etc
stock #18.1-189
Stak Nala, Haramoush Mountains
Skardu District, Baltistan,
Pakistan
3.8 x 2.8 1.8 CM (small miniature)
price: $330
Spring update
Dark Tourmalines (deep green- brown to black) that are translucent and very lustrous with a green Fluorite crystal. Small Quartz crystals and Albite are also present. In excellent condition as seen the terminations are sharp and complete. It is likly that this Tourmaline is a mixture of both Elbaite and Schorl in zoned growth. The Fluorite is a modified octahedron and the combination is very attractive. A choice small miniature from the amazing pegmatites of Stak Nala.
A single terminated Elbaite crystal 3.1 CM long is nicely set on Clevelandite blades from the famed Stak Nala pegmatites. A few crystals of the Clevelandite have grown into the Tourmaline but most of it is well exposed and fully visible. In good condition, the three color Elbaites are much less common at Stak Nala. A cute miniature that is quite affordable for one of these.
A very fine small miniature with two super sharp gem Elbaites in an esthetic arrangement. From a recent find at Stak Nala, this pocket had an unusual zoning for this mine with a colorless area and a faint line of blue at the top that is captured in some of the photos. Depending on the lighting the colorless area can look slightly violet, the crystals grade to a dark green that is opaque near the bottom but translucent higher up. In fine condition the terminations are perfect even at 10x magnification. While similar to some older Stak Nala pieces this zoning is not like the more typical recent finds. Small but very choice!