Description
This elbaite crystal is from the Himalaya Mine at Gem Hill, Mesa Grande District, San Diego County, California, USA. It has 77 different mineral species including elbaite. Elbaite is a type of tourmaline that contains the elements Na, Li, Al, Si, B, and H. Pure crystals are colorless but it can be found in a variety of colors depending on the trace elements incorporated in the crystal lattice.This specimen is the pink variety called rubellite. It is a double terminated crystal with an etched surface at the rear or base where the former matrix attachment was. It measures 30 x 15 x 10 mm.
