Elbaite (2.02g)

specimen number:
1712703

location:
Sao Jose da Safira, Minas Gerais, Brazil

description:
A loose gem terminated green and pink crystal of elbaite. In perfect condition. This weighs 2.02 g. This is what many people call watermelon tourmaline.

Sao Jose da Safira, located in the Eastern Pegmatite Province of Minas Gerais, Brazil, is a legendary district synonymous with the production of high-quality gemstones. Geologically, the area is characterized by a dense concentration of granitic pegmatites of the late Neoproterozoic era, which intruded into the surrounding schist and gneiss of the Aracuai Orogen. These pegmatites are renowned for their exceptional pockets containing large, gem-quality crystals of tourmaline (particularly indicolite and rubellite), morganite beryl, and spodumene. Historically, while sporadic mining has occurred for over a century, the most intensive operations began in the mid-20th century, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s, as global demand for colored gemstones surged. Mining in the region is largely conducted through "garimpos," which are small-scale, often artisanal underground workings that follow the complex, irregular geometry of the pegmatite veins. Today, the district remains a major contributor to the Brazilian gemstone market, and its name is associated with some of the most vibrant and transparent tourmaline specimens ever recovered from the pegmatitic fields of Minas Gerais.

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