FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Byron Anderson]

Following up on my mystery minerals here is a second mineral for your consideration. This pink to bluish-green tourmaline could come from a dozen or more locations but hoping someone out there has one in their possession or has seen one of similar habit and color. Needle in haystack, but figured I'd put it out there....

[rweaver]

I think you can safely take the mines from San Diego County off your list. I have never seen one that color and I grew up in and collect San Diego County Minerals.

[Tobi]

We won't get an exact locality but I think it could most likely be from Pakistan (Paprok, Dara-i Pech or Mawi Pegmatite) or maybe from one of the many many many mines in Minas Gerais/Brazil ...

[Michael Shaw]

Byron,

I have looked at this elbaite on two different computer monitors and there was a considerable difference in the coloration between the two, However, I think based on the colors present and their sequence along the crystal, there is a good chance that it might be from the Sapo Mine, in Minas Gerais. I suggest you look through the specimens from that location posted on Mindat and compare your piece with those.

Michael

[Byron Anderson]

A clue! I'll take it and do as you suggest. Thank you. Stay tuned.....

[Jesse Fisher]

Tobi, Those locations you mention are in Afghanistan, not Pakistan. Although the two countries are neighbors, the geochemistry and mineralogy of the local pegmatites are quite distinct from each other. That being said, I would guess that the tourmaline is from Afghanistan, owing to the pastel colors, which are typical in elbaites from places such as Paprok.

[lluis]

Hi, all

For colour (the blueish colour...), I would think in a copper tourmaline, any from Brazil or from Africa, Personally, I would bid for a Brazil tourmaline.

Not too much, but tourmalines cobbed, are hard to be attributed (or so to me... :-( )

With best wishes

Lluís

[Tobi]