Multicolor Tourmaline with "Cat's Eye" effect (ex Rolando Gioia Collection)

Item Description

Here we have a very attractive matrix Tourmaline display specimen from an undisclosed locality in Minas Gerais. The piece has a few interesting attributes, starting with the color. At first glance, these might appear to be black Schorl crystals, but with a bit of backlighting, one can see that they have a beautiful pink, green and black coloring that really makes them stand out from other Tourmalines we've seen from Brazil. Additionally the crystals are an UN-repaired group, which isn't as common as one would think then it comes to Brazilian Tourmalines, as the vast majority are either single crystals or have to be glued back together on matrix. Next, the Tourmalines show a slight but visible chatoyant "cat's eye" effect when rotated in the light. The largest crystal on the piece is actually doubly-terminated and meaures 4.3 cm. It shows the best example of the "cat's eye" effect, but some of the smaller crystals will show a little bit when rotated in the light. Very minor imperfections, but very clean overall. A really eye-catching and unique miniature specimen of this classic material from Brazil. Valued at $1,250. From the collection of Rolando Gioia (a contributor to new definitive book on Brazilian minerals: "Minerais e Pedras Preciosas do Brasil").