Description
This bi color crystal is from the Nuristan Province of Afghanistan. This is a mountainous region in the eastern part of Afghanistain that contains many mines and diggings in gem and mineral crystal pegmatites. It has 52 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 has a dark almost black base and a pink rubellite top. It has albite crystal matrix attached. The matrix partially covers some of the prism faces and termination.. This piece measures 20 x 16 x 10 mm.