Elbaite

This elbaite tourmaline specimen was mined from a small pocket in the Paprok Mine, Nuristan, Afghanistan, known as the Rainbow Pocket. This piece is considered to be the finest quality, both for color and form, from this pocket. The two tourmaline crystals display a strong vibrant pink, then a sharply delineated band of yellow, terminating in a green color. Yellow tourmaline is among the ultimate rarities, further solidifying the importance of the Rainbow Pocket. The tourmaline crystals frame a smoky quartz crystal and bladed white cleavelandite crystals. This specimen, from this important and historic region, is a spectacular addition to the National Mineral Collection.