Elbaite on Quartz with Cleavelandite. Grandon Pocket, Pederneira Mine, São José da Safira, Minas Gerais, Brazil. 16.5 x 13.0... (Total: 2 Items)

Description

Elbaite on Quartz with Cleavelandite
Grandon Pocket, Pederneira Mine, São José da Safira, Minas Gerais, Brazil
16.5 x 13.0 x 10.5 cm (6.5 x 5.1 x 4.1 in)

Of the millions of mineral specimens to have been excavated from the Earth, very few have the instant visual impact of this world-class Elbaite specimen, from what is arguably one of the most famous tourmaline mines in the world: the Pederneira Mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The matrix of this piece is dominated by three incredible Elbaite crystals, each one having a beautiful color gradient of pink, to blue, to bright green at the ends. The smallest crystal has a textbook "plateau" termination, while the two larger ones, with pointed triangular terminations, grow away from each other at the origin point to create a "peace sign" or "bunny ear" shape. This delightful arrangement is supported by a surprisingly gemmy matrix of white Cleavelandite, dotted with tiny olive-green Elbaite crystals. At the forefront, to break up the field of Cleavelandite, is a lightly smoky Quartz crystal slicing across the matrix horizontally. Such a combination and composition is a miracle of nature. As expected of this material, this specimen does have several expert repairs, but the terminations are in original pristine condition.

Naturally, this specimen has passed through several prestigious collections, such as those of Gail & Jim Spann and Richard Beard. It has also appeared in numerous publications, such as the 2015 Mineralogical Record "Pederneira!" Supplement, the Mineralogical Record 2009 "Private Mineral Collections in Texas" Supplement, and Minerals & Precious Stones of Brazil.

Ex. Richard Beard collection.
Ex. Gail & Jim Spann collection.
Ex. Thomas Everitt collection (#TAE-325).

Illustrations:
Mineralogical Record (Supplement, January-February 2015), "Pederneira!," p. 102.
Minerals & Precious Stones of Brazil, Carlos Cornejo and Andrea Bartorelli, 2009, p. 524.
Mineralogical Record (Supplement, January-February 2009), "Private Mineral Collections in Texas," p. 10.

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