Elbaite with Lepidolite

Item Description

What a gorgeous pegmatite combination specimen from Afghanistan featuring a small, divergent cluster of polychrome Elbaite on one side and an exquisite cluster of perfectly formed, lilac colored Lepidolite on the other. The lustrous group of Elbaite crystals is composed of one main crystal and two, smaller and distinct, crystals in parallel growth with another even smaller, slender crystal that grew at an acute angle to the main crystal. They start out with a translucent, medium olive green base and transition upward into a gemmy, teal blue central portion with a diffuse transition to a pale pink cap. The prism faces are lightly striated and the pyramidal terminations are super glassy. There are several olive green Elbaite crystals growing at the base of this group with one larger crystal growing into base of the group and the others divergent and variably terminated. The relatively large Lepidolite cluster is growing on a portion of an Elbaite crystal that forms a V with respect to the Elabaite group and consists of over a dozen, lovely, lilac colored, hexagonal-shaped crystals that are quite distinct and attractive in their aggregation. They range in size from 4 to 9 mm across. There is also an isolated, 1 cm Lepidolite crystal growing at the intersection of the Tourmalines and is associated with some platy, white Albite crystals all of which provide great contrast and composition. The Lepidolites and the gemmy group of polychrome Elbaite crystals are in perfect condition and the large Elbaite hosting the Lepidolite crystals was severed during pocket rupture and rehealed with a growth of fine-grained Lepidolite on that surface, which is also hidden from view by the Lepidolite cluster. A captivating, well balanced pegmatite combination piece. This is small, but so elegant.