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Tourmaline from the
Himalaya mine
San Diego County in southern California is world famous for its gem-bearing
pegmatites that have produced some extraordinary specimens of Tourmaline, Beryl
and Spodumene.
The Himalaya mine is a miarolitic pegmatite located in San Diego County. It is
one the most prolific producers of some of the finest gem and
specimen quality, multi-colored Tourmaline in the United States.
The mining around this area has existed for over a century, and
San Diego County still produces many extraordinary specimens from the various pegmatites.
The Himalaya mine has produced some of the most colorful and highly recognizable
Tourmaline specimens in the world, including vivid green and pink
bicolor crystals. These specimens are truly distinctive in
form, appearance and coloration, and are so highly sought after by collectors,
that the demand for fine specimens has caused the price of Himalaya Tourmalines
to increase almost exponentially over the last 10 years.
Tourmalines from this historic and significant locality are among the most
treasured gem crystals from not only the United States, but any pegmatite
locality in the world.
Enjoy !!
**
Please note that there is
a lot price available for all four pieces if purchased together.
If you are interested, please send me an
email
for further details.**
No.
Tourm Him 12081
Tourmaline (doubly-terminated floater) -
(SOLD)
This
crystal has a strikingly unusual and RARE yellowish-green pyramidal
termination that almost resembles Tourmaline specimens that
I have seen from Coronel Murta in Brazil. The crystal then grades
into a tea color which changes to a pale smoky hue that gives
way to the classic bubblegum pink and ends with a gorgeous blue-green
zone on the basal termination. There is some minor associated
Albite (var: Cleavelandite) and Lepidolite on this floater
crystal, along with a few additional terminated crystals towards
the top. The prism itself has good luster, and the pyramidal
termination is actually very glassy ! The piece is completely
UN-repaired, which is significant for the larger Tourmaline
crystals from the Himalaya. A beautiful, classic, multi-color
gem log from this historic U.S. locality.
Locality: Himalaya mine, Mesa Grande, San Diego County, California
Specimen Size: 11.0 x 3.4 x 2.5 cm.
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To order this specimen
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here
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No.
Tourm Him 12082
Tourmaline with Albite (var: Cleavelandite), Lepidolite and
Microcline -
(SOLD)
This
is one of those specimens that you love to play with and spin
it around in your hands. About 80% of the crystal shows a lovely
pink hue which then grades into a rare, silvery Cats Eye
section that actually terminates with a small amount of pastel
pink at the ends. The crystal is aesthetically perched atop
a small mound of matrix of Albite (var: Cleavelandite), Lepidolite
and Microcline which creates an attractive color contrast. The
basal termination on the Tourmaline crystal itself is INCREDIBLY
glassy for this material, which is quite rare for Himalaya crystals.
The entire specimen is in superb condition all around, and is
completely UN-repaired, which counts when it comes to Himalaya
Tourmalines.
Locality: Himalaya mine, Mesa Grande, San Diego County, California
Specimen Size: 7.8 x 4.3 x 4.0 cm.
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To order this specimen
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No.
Tourm Him 12083
Tourmaline with Albite (var: Cleavelandite) -
(SOLD)
This
UN-repaired, predominantly green Tourmaline crystal begins at
the termination with a strikingly beautiful blue-green cap that
immediately changes to a vibrant pink hue, which then grades
into very gemmy straw color section and gives way to a light
forest green shade, and finishes off with an olive green color
throughout the rest of the crystal. If the five distinct color
zones in this crystal werent enough, the piece has a charming
little antenna-like crystal poking out of the top of the basal
termination. Lastly, an accenting rosette of bladed white
Albite (var: Cleavelandite) sits at the base of the crystal
which makes for a wonderful touch. All in all, this radiant,
glassy Tourmaline crystal is one of the best single crystal
examples of this specific color combination that I have seen
from this mine.
Locality: Himalaya mine, Mesa Grande, San Diego County, California
Specimen Size: 7.7 x 4.0 x 3.0 cm.
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To order this specimen
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No.
Tourm Him 12084
Tourmaline (doubly-terminated floater) with Lepidolite -
(SOLD)
There
is almost nothing left to be desired from this solid cranberry
pink color, doubly-terminated, gemmy, floater crystal. Brilliant
lavendar Lepidolite crystal aggregates adorn the upper portion
of the crystal creating a very pleasing dual-tone color combination.
The crystal is complete on all sides and is NOT repaired, which
is significant for a Himalaya Tourmaline specimen. The striated
prism faces show excellent luster, and the very rich black
cherry color pyramidal termination displays beautifully stepped,
multi-terminated faces. These solid pink color crystals from
the Himalaya mine are few and far between, especially in un-repaired,
floater crystals with accenting Lepidolite sidecars. A truly
fine, classic gem crystal from this renowned U.S. pegmatite
locality.
Locality: Himalaya mine, Mesa Grande, San Diego County, California
Specimen Size: 7.6 x 3.3 x 2.8 cm.
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To order this specimen
click
here
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