INDICOLITE TOURMALINE AND QUARTZ. ...

Description

INDICOLITE TOURMALINE AND QUARTZ
Santa Rosa Mine, Itambacuri, Doce Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Winner of the Fields Medal and the Wolf Prize for his work in Mathematics - maverick mathematician Steve Smale readily admits that "some of his best work was done on the beaches of Rio". Not all of Dr. Smale's time was spent on Brazilian beaches, however - some of it was spent adding to his world-renowned collection of fine mineral specimens. One of the 'proofs' of this conjecture is this exquisite combination specimen collected from the Santa Rosa Mine in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. Colorless Quartz crystals from Brazil are not particularly notable, but when one is found with a gem blue Indicolite emerging from the transparent depths of the Quartz: that's a different thing altogether. Indicolite is a broad term, generally taken to mean any blue Tourmaline, regardless of chemistry, etc. The focal point of this specimen is the gemmy steel blue Tourmaline that is 2¼ inches (5.7 cm) long, about ¼ inch (.6 cm) in diameter, and is well terminated and lustrous. It is partially embedded in the colorless Quartz crystal whose slightly 'frosted' faces do not prevent the viewer from observing the 'interior' portion of the Tourmaline. The Tourmaline has been repaired, close to where the crystal emerges from the Quartz: not an uncommon necessity for this type of combination, otherwise it is in excellent condition. There is a small amount of Lepidolite: the lilac colored lithium Mica at the base. Considered to be one of the finest of its type, this aesthetic combination is accompanied by a limited edition Cibachrome print of the specimen, taken by Dr. Smale, who is also a professional level photographer. The overall measurements are 4 3/8 x 2 3/8 x 1½ inches (11 x 6 x 3.8 cm).

Provenance: ex. Steve & Clara Smale Collection

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