Tourmaline with Albite

Tourmaline with Albite. Photo:  Rob Lavinsky

Locality: Himalaya Mine (Himalaya pegmatite; Himalaya dikes), Gem Hill, Mesa Grande District, San Diego County, California, USA

Tourmaline (blue cap!) with AlbiteExtremely rare example of a blue-capped tourmaline on bladed albite from the Himalaya mine. The crystal has a rich pink color and a bright, reflective (not matte !!) blue termination. The specimen actually starts as one crystal and diverges into two about half way up the piece. Albite and quartz (on back) add accent and heft. A gemmy crystal protrudes out from the group at the point of the split. Of the tons of tourmaline produced at this mine, this is one of only a handful of blue-caps which were ever found. It should be highly regarded and is actually MORE RARE than the famous 1972 bluecaps form the Queen mine nearby. Ex. Dan Ehrling and Kevin Brown collections.