A fine gem crystal with intense blue color, this is an older specimen from the great Barra do Salinas in Brazil. Typical of good Barra Tourmalines, the exterior is etched and has a fibrous look, yet the inside is nearly all flawless gem grade. This has top blue color with bright luster, it is terminated with stepped habit and is undamaged. A small Lepidolite crystal on the side is a nice addition. Choice and better in person.
Green gemmy Elbaite Tourmalines in Quartz from the famed Mt Mica (Maine, USA). The Elbaites reach 2.6 CM long and are mostly transparent. From the famed dealer A.E. Foote this label dates to the 1879-1895 era, and is an unusual format for a Foote label. The backside of the label has a handwritten note in French that seems to be giving the value in 1951 as 10.00 USD, a very large sum at that time. This is a classic type of Mt Mica Tourmaline and a good representaive of a classic Northeastern US locale.
Elbaite - blue-green gem crystal
stock #23.1-560
Barra do Salinas Mining District, Coronel Murta
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
3.1 x .8 x.7 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $340
Pre Tucson
A single very clear gem Tourmaline crystal with a color that is a bit more dark blue than green in most light. The termination is complete with the distinctive etched steps of good Barra do Salinas tips. Bright luster and glows well with backlighting. The costs of any blue Elbaite has gotten very high recently, this is a much more down to earth price and very good value.
Elbaite
stock #20.1-279
Santa Rosa Mine, Itambacuri
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
2.6 x 1.3 x 1.3 CM (thumbnail)
price: $80
new year 2021
A zoned green flat top terminated Elbaite crystal from old finds at Santa Rosa. The crystal has good glassy luster, moderate transparency and only one small .5 mm chip. Weighs 7.4 Grams, this is priced below typical market rates. Pretty, affordable tourmaline that glows well when backlit.
Elbaite - two specimens - classic USA
stock #0990-JM-N127-2
Newry, Oxford County
Maine,
United States
4.8 x 3.8 x 3.2 CM, 1.3 x 1.1 x .8 CM (miniature)
price: $300
new year 2021
A pair of Elbaite specimens from the now famed Newry Mine of Maine. One is a small thumbnail the other a miniature. These come from the collection of John Marshall, who was one of the investors in what later became one of the greatest mineral finds of all time. These two pieces date to before that big strike. The set includes a matrix specimen with a gemmy Elbaite and crystals of Lepidolite on a blocky Albite crystal. The second specimen is a gemmy bi-colored Elbaite that is very clear and lustrous. The single crystal is not terminated but shows on one end a "nodule" or ball like mass which were noted at this locale as the most desirable gem grade. The matrix specimen has John's hand-printed collection number on one side. This material is quite unlike the later finds but which was an encouraging sign of the potential in the quarry at that time.
Elbaite - pink core Indicolite
stock #13.1-273
Santa Rosa Mine, Itambacuri, Doce Valley
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
3 x 1.4 x 1.2 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $490
new year 2021
A glassy, transparent single crystal of Elbaite from the famed Santa Rosa Mine. The red core of the crystal is slightly offset with a slight yellow halo that is surrounded by blue to greenish blue zones. When viewed through the termination a perfect watermelon zoning is seen. Minor edge chips are noted but they are quite small and can be minimized by display angle. This is choice gem grade with a nice color intensity best appreciated in person. 10.5 grams, this is priced below gem rough value.
Elbaite var. Indicolite
stock #AX-30-018
Santa Rosa Mine, Itambacuri, Doce Valley
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
5.2 x 1.1 x .9 (miniature)
price: $700
pre Tucson 2015 update
A gemmy, bright blue Santa Rosa Tourmaline with a hue not often available. Not a perfect specimen but still very displayable, the main termination and main crystal is complete, undamaged but with a little matrix adhering, the small side crystals have damage that can be seen with careful examination. That said it has an uncommon color and luster with very good clarity that is really nice.
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