Lepidolite with Tourmaline on Albite

Item Description

I first saw these at Munich, just a few pieces, and now had the chance to select some material direct from the mines via emailed pictures. After trimming and cleaning, we got out 3 very choice specimens of this new find of unusual "ropey" lepidolite, with a velvety texture and deep lavender color. This large specimen hosts is a sculptural mass of purple lepidolite on albite, with minor tourmaline in association. The beautiful bi-colored, pastel-green and lavender, gem tourmaline is 2.8 cm and there are more tourmalines scattered on the piece. Very pretty and unusual for the region - lepidolite specimens as a primary mineral are frankly unheard of from here and I wouldn"t have thought they would make my list of desirable Afghani minerals in collectible quality, til now! Valued at $1000.