Gemmy bi-colored Tourmaline (Larson Coll.)

Item Description

Tourmaline is uncommon from the Pala Chief Mine, better known for outstanding kunzite spodumene specimens. The pegmatite did produce tourmalines in a wide range of colors, such as this unusually shaped miniature. The elongated gemmy/transparent layered trigonal crystal is very glassy and well-striated. The pretty pink core is enclosed by a rind of indicolite blue. The layered body is pretty variable blue with a 4 mm zone of darker blue tourmaline below the frosted matte termination. Complete all-around with modest termination edge wear and the noted basal contacting. The Pala Chief Mine was discovered in 1903 and for the first ten heavily worked years was the world's foremost source for gem spodumene. The mine has been intermittently active with limited success since. See the 2002 Mineralogical Record article in Vol. 33, No. 3 for more information on the mine. Ex Bill Larson San Diego County Pegmatite Collection and long on display at his Pala International shop in Fallbrook. Probably older material, but no proof. An exceptional and RARE habit bi-colored tourmaline from the Pala Chief Mine. Mass is 32 grams.