TOURMALINE ON ALBITE. ...

Description

TOURMALINE ON ALBITE
Paprok, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan
The mineral riches of Afghanistan have only recently come to the attention of the outside world. Mineral collectors have known for years that Afghani Lapis-Lazuli isn't the only exceptional thing to come from this remote country. Russian geologic studies speak of gem pockets exposed on mountain cliff faces yet to be exploited. The Russians are gone but even now the only people that occasionally collect one of these cavities are members of local tribal groups. Outsiders are not welcome, and only when other more vital work is finished and the brutal weather permits, are a few pockets mined by hand. Hand sized and smaller specimens are the norm here: transport is on foot which makes this an exceptionally large specimen with an extra-ordinary amount of time and energy invested in it. The fact that it has not been damaged in its travels is a miracle in itself. The overall appearance of the specimen is consistent with the few other examples known to have come from this district. It shows the slightly diverging, sub-parallel growth habit and the dark blue, basal core overcoated by pastel pink, with the whole crystal finally encased in a clean, transparent green exterior layer that shades to light blue-green at the multiple terminations. There is a small amount of white Clevelandite feldspar on the left side. At 10 3/8 inches long, it is not the largest Tourmaline from this locality, but it is still much larger than normal for this area. After taking into consideration its fine color, glassy luster and exquisite condition; it deserves to be counted among the best to have emerged from this remote and dangerous part of the world. Measuring an impressive 10 3/8 inches high x 3 x 2 ¾, the specimen stands 11 inches high on its custom labeled base.

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