TUC115-301
Tourmaline
Himalaya Mine, Mesa Grande District, San Diego Co., California, USA
Cabinet, 15.0 x 3.2 x 2.6 cm
SOLD
Himalaya tourmalines are known for being broken in situ, and repaired. It just goes with the territory, as the pegmatite was severely disrupted and shocked over the tens of millions of years since it formed. There are few large tourmalines from this mine and district which do not contain repairs. However, this is one of the best we have seen, as it has intense red-pink color and beautiful tapering form, with both terminations. Also, the particular style of the larger tourmalines tends to show zoning, usually with a pale green or pale pink zone mixed in. This crystal is a solid, saturated color throughout. The photos are taken under sun balanced halogens and are accurate in my cases lit by halogen, but the color shifts a little darker in some lighting; and a little paler in color in fluorescent lighting. This crystal is imposing for the size, but the solidity of color is equally important and again, uncommon in crystals over 3 inches (and this is nearly 6 inches). The Piece is doubly terminated and looks good from either end - it also stands on its own, on the flat termination. Minor purple lepidolite is in association. The piece is in remarkably good condition, with the main crystal not even having a single nick or ding upon it. The small sidecar crystal at the base is missing its tip, as the only damage to note here (and that could be an in situ thing anyhow). A custom base is included to show it standing up, with the smaller pointed termination facing down, if desired - it does look good either way! From a prominent California collection, recently deacquisitioned. According to the mine owner, Bill Larson, this would have been mined by him in the later 1980s, circa 1985-1989. He also said that this would be worth $25, 000 if he had it. Joe Budd photos