Rubellite on Cleavelandite

Item Description

This is a colorful and shockingly contrasting tourmaline matrix specimen is from one of the 2 or 3 most famous pockets of tourmaline ever found, and dates from a single discovery in 1978. Very very few crystals were found perched on snow white matrix like this, just like gems fallen in the snow. And, without repairs! Most collectors will never own a matrix piece - so few are available, let alone at auction. The gem crystals on this specimen are really of high quality, and set off so starkly on the blades of snow white matrix. This beautiful matrix piece hosts gem-cranberry-red tourmalines to just over 3 cm, on geometric, starkly contrasted, snow-white and bladed cleavelandite matrix. One rarely sees Jonas tourmalines for sale today anyhow, and this overall aspect is unusual. It features 5 crystals of substantial display value, all poking out from and contrasting to the crystallized matrix. The two largest are 2.7 cm and just over 3 cm. Valued $7500-plus. We obtained this specimen circa 2009 in a deal in Brazil with one of the grandsons of the legendary dealer and mine owner, Jonas Lima. This had been kept in the family and given, with a number of small but pretty specimens we purchased at the time, to the kids. For more, see this wonderful article on the GIA archives: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.gia.edu/doc/Gem-Pegmatites-of-Minas-Gerais-Brazil-The-Tourmalines-of-the-Governador-Valadares-District.pdf