Tourmaline (rare color) with Microcline and Quartz

Item Description

Morocco is best-known for its secondary ore mineral, or even its silver/cobalt species, but until recently, Tourmaline was virtually unheard of from the entire country. The contemporary finds at Beni Bouzra have produced some truly fine quality, eye-catching and colorful Tourmaline specimens in recent years. This particular specimen reminds me of the old classic pieces from Elba (the namesake for the Tourmaline species Elbaite), as the coloring is quite similar. This specimen features a gemmy, lustrous golden-yellow colored prismatic crystals aesthetically intermixed with stark white Microcline and translucent Quartz crystals. The Tourmaline crystal measures 2.0 cm, and is complete all around. The crystal has a thin pink "cap" for a nice touch. Yellow/golden is a rather rare color for Tourmaline, so when you combine it with an already rare (albeit contemporary) locality, you have something that is quite impressive and desirable. A lovely example of these beautiful and distinctive Tourmalines from this unlikely spot in Morocco. Valued $1,500.