Jonas Mine Rubellite Tourmaline

Discovered in 1977, Brazil's Jonas Mine is famous for its red elbaite tourmaline (rubellite). In 1978, a single pocket of approx. 2 x 2.5 x 3 meters yielded rubellite tourmaline crystals of such beautiful color and size that experts still regard them as the world's best rubellite crystals. Original 1978 rubellite crystals from the Jonas Mine are highly sought after by collectors and museum curators.

This specimen is from that famous Jonas Mine find of 1978. The main tourmaline crystal exhibits brilliantly colored rubellite with a doubly-terminated form. Nine small doubly-terminated tourmaline crystals interpenetrate with the larger crystal without impeding or disrupting the latter's growth. The piece has a rich, cranberry red color in daylight and shows the indicative locality characteristics of a salmon-colored core in directed light, together with a hot pink outer color zone. The rubellite sidecar at the top of the piece is gemmy and translucent, with a color that approaches the "pigeon-blood" red of the most sought-after rubies. The piece is accompanied by contrasting quartz, is complete all around, and without damage.

REFERENCES:

https://www.mindat.org/loc-12119.html