Mineral Specimens with Elbaite

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13EDD6L - Tourmaline Elbaite - SOLD
Paprok, Kunar Province, Afghanistan
cabinet, 11 x 6.0 x 4.2 cm
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ex.  Dr. Edward David

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Tourmaline Elbaite from Paprok, Kunar Province, Afghanistan [db_pics/pics/13edd6la.jpg]
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Tourmaline Elbaite from Paprok, Kunar Province, Afghanistan [db_pics/pics/13edd6lb.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Tourmaline Elbaite from Paprok, Kunar Province, Afghanistan [db_pics/pics/13edd6lc.jpg]

An unusual tourmaline, I would say! The reason is that pastel-colored tourmalines from here seldom have strong color depth, but this one does. Both the blue and the pink are deeply colored and unusual shades to find in combination with each other. It looks more like a pospicle than a natural tourmaline, I admit. This cluster is also pristine, and complete all around as you can see here. There are gemmier, more deeply colored tourmalines out there...but this one just has a unique quality to it that makes it stand out for color impact and beauty, even among the crowd. Ed collected very few crystals of the gem species, perhaps 10% out of 1000 specimens only, and so they each HAD to be unique for him to want them.

32eddx3 - Elbaite Tourmaline - SOLD
Virgem de Lapa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
cabinet, 11.9 x 3.1 x 2.9 cm
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ex.  Dr. Edward David

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Elbaite Tourmaline from Virgem de Lapa, Minas Gerais, Brazil [db_pics/pics/32eddx3a.jpg]
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Elbaite Tourmaline from Virgem de Lapa, Minas Gerais, Brazil [db_pics/pics/32eddx3b.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Elbaite Tourmaline from Virgem de Lapa, Minas Gerais, Brazil [db_pics/pics/32eddx3c.jpg]

This important old tourmaline is a classic of the 1960s finds here, showing a vibrant hue that is unique to this day. I can recognize a Virgem de Lapa of this style anywwhere on sight, it is so unusual...in person, the hue will probably better come across, though. It is somehwere between lavender and maroon, with perhaps alternating shimmers in different lighting but going more lavender in strong light, i'd say. This is a rather large and rather gemmy crystal, which Ed traded from Keith Proctor's collection over 20 years ago. It then sold to me in a cull at some time in the 1990s, went to a collection in Australia, came back to me, resold to Ed, and is now back with me for a third time in the funny way things go round. Comes with custom base.

4JD41 - Tourmaline sp. Elbaite (scepter) - SOLD
Barra do Salinas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
thumbnail, 1.9 x 1.9 x 1.2 cm
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Sorry, we have no images of this specimen at present.

Tourmalines are an important part of many collections, and this bi-colored scepter is a beauty that would satand out in a thumbnail or a gem crystal collection in particular. The color is so good, and it is so clear, that you do not even need standard backlighting to see through it. Between the colors, high luster, clarity, and form, this is a killer thumb, plain and simple...

4JD48 - Tourmaline sp. Elbaite (scepter) - SOLD
Barra do Salinas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
thumbnail, 2.8 x 1 x 1 cm
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ex.  Ken Roberts

Sorry, we have no images of this specimen at present.

Fabulous bi-colored tourmaline SCEPTER with excellent luster, good clarity, deep color, and a pyrimidal termination. This would be a great addition to any top thumbnail collection! BdS scepters tend to be larger - finding such a perfect rocketship-like thumber is VERY hard to do! Old Ken Roberts specimens,

ART-01 - Elbaite with Clevelandite - SOLD
Pederneira Mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil
cabinet, 17.1 x 8.2 x 4.7 cm
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Elbaite with Clevelandite from Pederneira Mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil [db_pics/pics/art-01a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Elbaite with Clevelandite from Pederneira Mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil [db_pics/pics/art-01b.jpg]
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Elbaite with Clevelandite from Pederneira Mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil [db_pics/pics/art-01c.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Elbaite with Clevelandite from Pederneira Mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil [db_pics/pics/art-01d.jpg]

This dramatic specimen features a 6.5-inch (16cm) crystal standing straight up from a roseate cluster of brilliant, sparklling white cleavelandite blades. They are decorated with sparkling purple lepdiolite, like sugar. The albite is so lustrous and bright, that it is hard to photograph and so is appearing whited out and muted in the photos here. Like most larger Pederneira Mine pieces from the recent heyday of the mine from 1999-2005 or so, the crystal is repaired. In this case, it is repaired (cleanly) in 3 places - but this goes with the territory if you want these big rocket-like tourmalines at a fair price. This particular specimen is from the socalled "rocket pocket" and came out around 2000-2001. It is one I selected from a large stash at the time, for overall aesthetics and display quality for the price and size range, from amidst literally hundreds of specimens. Despite having a number of pricier pieces around the shop, this is the piece that Gamii wanted to paint out of all of them, for its aesthetic appeal to his eye. This mine is now, for all intents, closed and not producing at the moment. Price includes specimen, painting, and custom lucite base for display.

ART-04 - Tourmaline sp. Elbaite - SOLD
Paprok, Kunar Province, Afghanistan
cabinet, 10 x 6 x 3.4 cm
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Tourmaline sp. Elbaite from Paprok, Kunar Province, Afghanistan [db_pics/pics/art-04a.jpg]
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Tourmaline sp. Elbaite from Paprok, Kunar Province, Afghanistan [db_pics/pics/art-04b.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Tourmaline sp. Elbaite from Paprok, Kunar Province, Afghanistan [db_pics/pics/art-04c.jpg]

An unusual tourmaline, I would say! The reason is that pastel-colored tourmalines from here seldom have strong color depth, but this one does. IN other words , most pale tourmalines are second-rate, because of it. Somehow, it works for this piece - a strong pastel color that is NOT second-ran at all but rather just plain different than the normal Afghani style. Both the blue and the pink are deeply colored and unusual shades to find in combination with each other. It looks more like a popsicle than like a natural tourmaline, I admit. This cluster is also pristine, and complete all around as you can see here. It is 275 grams. The main crystal is 3.5 x 3 cm There are gemmier, more deeply colored tourmalines out there...but this one just has a unique quality to it that makes it stand out for color impact and beauty, even among the crowd. It is from the collection of Dr. Ed David, a remarkable collector and also a scientist in the real world; who was president Nixon's science advisor among other positions he has held. Ed collected very few crystals of the gem species, perhaps 10% out of 1000 specimens only, and so they each HAD to be unique for him to want them. Price includes specimen, painting, and custom lucite base for display.

ch06 - Tourmaline var. Indicolite (with Sinkankas' signed/inscribed book) - SOLD
Tourmaline Queen Mine, San Diego Co., California, USA
miniature, 5.5 x 4.8 x 4.2 cm
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ex.  Chuck Houser
ex.  David Wilber
ex.  John Barlow
ex.  John Sinkankas

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Tourmaline var. Indicolite (with Sinkankas' signed/inscribed book) from Tourmaline Queen Mine, San Diego Co., California, USA [db_pics/pics/ch06a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Tourmaline var. Indicolite (with Sinkankas' signed/inscribed book) from Tourmaline Queen Mine, San Diego Co., California, USA [db_pics/pics/ch06b.jpg]
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Tourmaline var. Indicolite (with Sinkankas' signed/inscribed book) from Tourmaline Queen Mine, San Diego Co., California, USA [db_pics/pics/ch06c.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Tourmaline var. Indicolite (with Sinkankas' signed/inscribed book) from Tourmaline Queen Mine, San Diego Co., California, USA [db_pics/pics/ch06d.jpg]
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Tourmaline var. Indicolite (with Sinkankas' signed/inscribed book) from Tourmaline Queen Mine, San Diego Co., California, USA [db_pics/pics/ch06e.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Tourmaline var. Indicolite (with Sinkankas' signed/inscribed book) from Tourmaline Queen Mine, San Diego Co., California, USA [db_pics/pics/ch06f.jpg]

A good San Diego indicolite, which is rare in such size and condition anyhow, but the HISTORY here is so neat! Note how the piece was passed from one major collector to another, through decades. John Sinkankas even sketched the piece on the inside cover! A watercolor painting shown on the inside is from the same pocket, and a group photo shows this piece, as well. Chuck paid money for the book , having actually tracked down the book from Barlow's grandson, Chris Dearing, after Mr. Barlow had passed away. Barlow never sold the book when he sold the collection, keeping it for himself: it stayed in his personal library as his own copy. This is, pedigree aside, a VERY FINE indicolite for San Diego which has only rarely produced pure end-member indicolites of any quality. As a side note, there is an association of manganocolumbite on the bottom of the specimen. It is pristine and unrepaired, and beautiful when lit up. So, you are paying for a significant and rare San Diego piece, but admittedly at a premiium to get teh historical pedigree with it. These are great collectors, all! I'd own anything they thought worthy to pass from hand to hand.

ch11 - Elbaite - SOLD
Little Three Mine, Ramona, San Diego County, California, USA
miniature, 5.0 x 1.0 x 0.7 cm
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ex.  Chuck Houser
ex.  John Sinkankas

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Elbaite from Little Three Mine, Ramona, San Diego County, California, USA [db_pics/pics/ch11a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Elbaite from Little Three Mine, Ramona, San Diego County, California, USA [db_pics/pics/ch11b.jpg]

An exceptionally rare tourmaline "pencil" of gem quality from the Little 3 Mine, which while known for garnet is NOT really known for producing good tourmalines. This would be considered an unbelieveably gemmy and fine example! It was obtained from the late John Sinkankas by collector Irv Brown 10 years ago, and later sold to Chris Korpi by Brown. I got Chris' collectiona nd sold it to Chuck at the time. There is a brightness to the crystal that is not conveyed well in the photo, although you CAN see how sharp and fine the termination is.

ch19 - Elbaite (polished slice) - CAN$ 311
Little Three Mine, Ramona, San Diego County, California, USA
miniature, 5.0 x 4.9 x 0.5 cm
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ex.  Chuck Houser

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Elbaite (polished slice) from Little Three Mine, Ramona, San Diego County, California, USA [db_pics/pics/ch19a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Elbaite (polished slice) from Little Three Mine, Ramona, San Diego County, California, USA [db_pics/pics/ch19b.jpg]

Most Little Three tourmalines are very dark, though some have bright cores when cut like this one - old material, hard to obtain today.

ch25 - Tourmaline var. Indicolite altering to Lepidolite - SOLD
Elizabeth R. Mine, Pala, San Diego County, California, USA
cabinet, 11.4 x 9.1 x 8.7 cm
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ex.  Chuck Houser

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Tourmaline var. Indicolite altering to Lepidolite from Elizabeth R. Mine, Pala, San Diego County, California, USA [db_pics/pics/ch25a.jpg]
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Tourmaline var. Indicolite altering to Lepidolite from Elizabeth R. Mine, Pala, San Diego County, California, USA [db_pics/pics/ch25b.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Tourmaline var. Indicolite altering to Lepidolite from Elizabeth R. Mine, Pala, San Diego County, California, USA [db_pics/pics/ch25c.jpg]

A large, fat, equant indicolite crystal is starting to alter to multicolore dlepidolite here, caught in the act! I have sene fully pseudomorphed crystals from here occasionally, but small and ugly things in general. This one is really neat, and the matrix perch makes it a display-quality specimen as well.

CK13 - Quartz with Indicolite Tourmaline - SOLD
Cryo-Genie Mine, Warner Springs, San Diego County, California, USA
miniature, 4.2 x 3.5 x 3.1 cm
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ex.  Chris Korpi

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Quartz with Indicolite Tourmaline from Cryo-Genie Mine, Warner Springs, San Diego County, California, USA [db_pics/pics/ck13a.jpg]
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Quartz with Indicolite Tourmaline from Cryo-Genie Mine, Warner Springs, San Diego County, California, USA [db_pics/pics/ck13b.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Quartz with Indicolite Tourmaline from Cryo-Genie Mine, Warner Springs, San Diego County, California, USA [db_pics/pics/ck13c.jpg]

A VERY RARE matrix association piece from the CG with a GEM blue indicolite crystal of good form! The crystal measures approx 2 x 2 x 1 cm and is exceptional in form and quality for the mine. Recovered this past March of 2004. BETTER IN PERSON.

CK24 - Elbaite Tourmaline - SOLD
Cryo-Genie Mine, San Diego County, California, USA
miniature, 4.3 x 0.7 x 0.7 cm
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ex.  Chris Korpi

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Elbaite Tourmaline from Cryo-Genie Mine, San Diego County, California, USA [db_pics/pics/ck24a.jpg]

A sharp and gemmy crystal of the type known as a "gem pencil" for obvious reasons...VERY RARE from this newly discovered mine in northern San Diego County. In fact, I cannot say as I have seen another crystal as gemmy as this from the CG. Chris was very involved in the mining here and had first shot at the majority of pieces, so it is no surprise that he kept this unique crystal of a quality far surpassing most of the CG tourmalines. It was found in January of 2004 near the "Beryl Pocket" in the mine. There is some minor edge contacting at the top and on the flanking small side crystal, and so the price is cheap despite the gemminess and sisplay quality of the specimen , for which Chris paid $150 himself

CK25 - Elbaite Tourmaline - SOLD
Himalaya Mine, Pala, San Diego County, California, USA
miniature, 4.1 x 0.8 cm
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ex.  Chris Korpi

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Elbaite Tourmaline from Himalaya Mine, Pala, San Diego County, California, USA [db_pics/pics/ck25a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Elbaite Tourmaline from Himalaya Mine, Pala, San Diego County, California, USA [db_pics/pics/ck25b.jpg]

An old specimen, of the type known as a "gem pencil" for obvious reasons. There is some minor edge contacting at the top and on the flanking small side crystal, and so the price is cheap despite the gemminess and sisplay quality of the specimen , for which Chris paid $150 himself

CK50 - Indicolite Tourmaline (ex. Sinkankas) - SOLD
Tourmaline Queen Mine, Pala, San Diego Co., California, USA
small cabinet, 6.3 x 3.5 cm
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ex.  Chris Korpi

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Indicolite Tourmaline (ex. Sinkankas) from Tourmaline Queen Mine, Pala, San Diego Co., California, USA [db_pics/pics/ck50a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Indicolite Tourmaline (ex. Sinkankas) from Tourmaline Queen Mine, Pala, San Diego Co., California, USA [db_pics/pics/ck50b.jpg]
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Indicolite Tourmaline (ex. Sinkankas) from Tourmaline Queen Mine, Pala, San Diego Co., California, USA [db_pics/pics/ck50c.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Indicolite Tourmaline (ex. Sinkankas) from Tourmaline Queen Mine, Pala, San Diego Co., California, USA [db_pics/pics/ck50d.jpg]

An IMPORTANT indicolite crystal from the famous and long-gone Queen mine! This fat crystal has excellent lustre and color. It is entirely translucent and glows blue when backlit even just by medium lighting, despite its thickness. It is a major crystal for the County and would be priced around the $7500 mark were it not for several conchoidal chips out of the termination (as shown in the lower panel and note they are on back faces). However, that being said, it displays JUST FINE from the front side and "is what it is" . This specimen was purchased from the late author and collector John Sinkankas at some point after he found the pocket in the 1960s ("Blue Pocket #2") and later ended up with collector Irv Brown, who resold to Chris in 2003

CK60 - Elbaite Tourmaline (floater!) - SOLD
Himalaya Mine, Mesa Grande, San Diego Co., California, USA
small cabinet, 6.2 x 4.5 x 2.6 cm
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ex.  Chris Korpi
ex.  John Barlow

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Elbaite Tourmaline (floater!) from Himalaya Mine, Mesa Grande, San Diego Co., California, USA [db_pics/pics/ck60a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Elbaite Tourmaline (floater!) from Himalaya Mine, Mesa Grande, San Diego Co., California, USA [db_pics/pics/ck60b.jpg]
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Elbaite Tourmaline (floater!) from Himalaya Mine, Mesa Grande, San Diego Co., California, USA [db_pics/pics/ck60c.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Elbaite Tourmaline (floater!) from Himalaya Mine, Mesa Grande, San Diego Co., California, USA [db_pics/pics/ck60d.jpg]

A dramatic piece with classic multicolored green-red crystals BUT with the addiition that both crystals are doubly terminated and have TWO green caps instead of the usual one! This piece is a floater, complete all around! It has one clean repair to the smaller crystal, but given the overall geometry and quality, this does not bother me. Ex. Barlow collection to me to Chris and back again...d


(click on a page number to go to that page:)

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19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72
73 74 75 76

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Rob Lavinsky, rob@irocks.com

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