Olenite (RARE Tourmaline species) (2 specimens) (ex Bill Larson Collection)

Item Description

These well-known and unique Tourmaline specimens are commonly referred to "Mushroom Rubellites", and for a long time we believed them to be Elbaite, a common Tourmaline species. Keep in mind that Tourmaline is not a mineral, but rather a group name for a lot of different borosilicates, some of which are quite rare worldwide. One of those rare Tourmaline species is Olenite, often found in small non-descript examples from Russia and Italy, but the pieces from around the Momeik Township are the most well-formed, colorful and just plain pretty examples of the species ever found. Their unique rounded form, combined with the alluring Rubellite pink color makes them instantly recognizable, and they simply stand out from any other Tourmalines you've seen. The two specimens in this set show good internal translucency when backlit, along with pleasing reflective luster on the surfaces of the "mushroom heads". The color ranges from a purplish-pink to more of a rosy-pink. Excellent quality all around, and these pieces are now exceedingly hard to find on the market, so don't miss out on getting this set for your collection. Valued around $2,000-$3,000 retail for the pair. From the collection of Bill ("Burma Bill") Larson of Fallbrook, California. Bill is a well-known gem and mineral dealer as well as a miner and collector. Bill traveled the world for decades in search of fine gems and minerals, and was directly involved in the in-person acquisition and importation of superb specimens and stones from Myanmar (Burma). You can read his biography at https://mineralogicalrecord.com/biographies_labels/larsonwilliam-f/