Elbaite (Bob Bartsch Coll.)

Item Description

A fine and rare old-timer from this renowned locale, famed for the blue cap tourmaline finds of 1972. This impressive, highly lustrous, well-striated, trigonal tourmaline looks like a schorl under normal light. BUT, when back lit, the crystal LIGHTS UP with layered blue-gray translucence under the highly lustrous, super dark purple or black termination. Complete all-around. A bit of termination edge wear is certainly only a modest detraction. The basal periphery wear is also noted. The natural break healed, as evidenced by the clay, broke again and has been repaired. These have minimal impact to the high quality of this rare elbaite varietal from this famous locale. 125 grams mass. Self-collected by Robert Bartsch in the late 1950s to early 1970s. He was a noted California field collector and collector. He passed away in 2014 and here is a link to a fine article written by his friend, Rock Currier: http://www.mindat.org/article.php/2158/Robert+Bartsch+++RIP++1939+to+2014.