Rubellite Tourmaline (Elbaite): Abuja leather, Komu pegmatites, Atisbo, Oyo, Nigeria

Description

Species: Rubellite Tourmaline (Elbaite)

Locality: Abuja leather, Komu pegmatites, Atisbo, Oyo, Nigeria

Size: 13.5 x 6.5 x 5.5 cm. (895 grams)

Impressive, very large group of deep cranberry-red rubellite tourmaline crystals from the famous Abjua Leather mine, part of the Komu pegmatites in Nigeria’s Oyo State. Komu rubellite is considered some of the best in the world and for good reason- the intensity and “purity” of the red color is unlike any other in the tourmaline world. To get such a large group of crystals, well-terminated and aesthetically intergrown, from this locality is very rare. Mark Cross photo.