Tourmaline ("Rubellite") (ex Rolando Gioia Collection)

Item Description

While Tourmaline is reported from Ouro Preto, I can't say that I remember seeing a specimen of Rubellite from this famous Imperial Topaz locality. With that said, this could be a case of poor information given, and simply copied without knowing where it came from. I don't blame the collector, I would say that whomever sold him the specimen could be the issue. The piece could be from any number of Brazilian Tourmaline localities. Honestly at first glance, I almost mistook it for a Russian Tourmaline from Malkhan or a specimen from Madagascar. The combination of pink / orange and "tea" colors inside the crystal are unusual for Brazil. Overall, the piece is in good shape, though a few contacts / imperfections can be seen here and there. The piece is fairly gemmy when backlit, which is my favorite way to view it. From the collection of Rolando Gioia (a contributor to new definitive book on Brazilian minerals: "Minerais e Pedras Preciosas do Brasil").