Description
This tourmaline, variety elbaite, is from the Darri-i-Pech Pegmatite Fireld in the Chapa Dara District, Kunar, Afghanistan. The Pech Valley contains many mines and prospects that contain several varieties of gemstone and tourmaline crystals including elbaite. It is a silicate that contains the elements Al, B, H, Li, Na, O and Si. It can be found in a variety of colors which are caused by traces of other elements in the crystal lattice. This transparent crystal has a blue base, a blue/green middle and a blue termination. It has lightly striated prism faces and a glass luster. The termination is pyramidal. This piece measures 2 15/16 x 3/16 x 3/16 inches or 75 x 4 x 4 mm.
