Mineral: Elbaite with Beryl (variety morganite) and Mica (variety lepidolite) on Albite (variety cleavelandite)
Locality: Himalaya Mine, Gem Hill, Mesa Grande District, San Diego County, California, USA
Dimensions: 175 x 93 x 85 mm

Description: This large cabinet specimen of Elbaite is dominated by a large buff-colored Orthoclase crystal measuring 90 x 75 x 60 mm which anchors many blades of snow-white Albite (var. Cleavlandite) to 30 mm across. Nestled within the Albite are four large Elbaites, the largest measuring 51 x 30 x 19 mm, in varying shades of green and pink, complemented with a book of pale purple Lepidolite to 21 mm across. A sharp, pale-pink 24 x 15 mm Beryl (var. Morganite), a rarity from the Himalya Mine, is also nested in the Albite. Several clear Quartz points to 25 x 9 mm are also present. Matrix specimen from the Himalaya Mine are not common, and this is a large and historic specimen (ex. Gary Hansen, c. 1967-1970 specimen; ex. James W. Simpson collection) in great condition.

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