Elbaite Tourmaline: Rubaya District, North Kivu Province, DR Congo (CT234)

Description

Species: Elbaite Tourmaline

Locality: Rubaya Pegmatite District, Bahunde, Masisi Territory, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dimensions:  5.4 x 2.1 x 1.9 cm. ( 44.35 grams)

Over the past several years, world-class, gem-quality tourmaline crystals have started to emerge in the gem and mineral marketplace from a new source- the Rubaya pegmatite district, located on the northwestern shores of Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These elbaite tourmaline crystals, found in highly-weathered, geochemically-fractionated LCT (Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum) pegmatites where Coltan (columbite-tantalite, a valuable ore of the element tantalum) has been mined artisanally for decades. In terms of quality, transparency and color spectrum, this find is arguable the most important tourmaline discovery of the past thirty years, and some experts place it on par with the greatest tourmaline discoveries of all time. What is certain is that the supply of these gorgeous, gemmy, lustrous, multi-color gem tourmaline crystals will come to a close as quickly as they seemingly appeared on the world market. I was lucky to recently obtain a large, exceptional parcel of these beautiful crystals directly from the source, and this is one such example, weighing 42.35 grams and measuring 5.4 cm tall. The color is a beautiful yellow-green color (unique and distinctive to the Congo in my experience), and the complexly-terminated crystal is in great condition. The crystal has numerous “cityscape-like” terminations, and a hollow tube-like center that extends almost through the entire crystal! The transparency is excellent as well. The time to add one of these contemporary classics to your collection is now. Mark Cross photo.