Large Rubellite Tourmaline from the "Cranberry Pocket"


Cruzeiro Mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil This 10.53 pound single Rubellite Tourmaline crystal is an aggregate of parallel crystals, most of which are individually terminated. This specimen shows over sixty-five terminations measuring from 2 mm to 25 mm. Each termination shows a deep rich red color. This crystal is one of the survivors of the collapsed "cranberry pocket" where many specimens became material for master gem cutters. The smooth surfaces of this crystal are readily identifiable as the part of the crystal that was attached to the pocket wall. This specimen is strikingly beautiful and is being shown publicly for the first time. The words Minas Gerais brings a sense of wonderment and excitement to mineral collectors all over the world. This state in Brazil has produced phenomenal mineral specimens that occupy shelves in all the finest museums. One mine in Minas Gerais known as "Cruziero" was initially mined for mica in the early 50s but later that decade until now, it became famous worldwide for its Tourmaline, Beryl and Quartz production. After a lull in the early 2000s when poor production and high cost threatened the existence of the mine but that all changed abruptly. September 2013 saw the discovery of the now famous "Cranberry Pocket". When the pocket as discovered it was immediately known that it had collapsed.... perhaps a million years before. But many of the finest mineral treasures were intact and it took four arduous weeks to carefully collect the specimens of which this present offering is the largest and best. Weighing approximately 10.5 lbs (4.7 kilos) and measuring 11 X 7 in (28 x 13 cm)