Elbaite

specimen number:
9505419

location:
Rubaya, Bahunde, Masisi Territory, North Kivu, DR Congo

description:

Absolutely gorgeous grouping of gem quality glassy elbaite crystals. this is naturally crystallized all around and in perfect condition. Weighs 28.47 grams.

The Rubaya mining region in the Bahunde area of Masisi Territory, North Kivu, DR Congo, lacks a precise historical opening date due to its origins as traditional artisanal workings, but intensive commercial and industrial-scale concessions developed through the 20th century and remain active today under continuous local and shifting militia operations without a permanent closing date. Geologically, the area is situated within a rich rare-metal pegmatite and tin-granite province where complex granitic intrusions intersect regional structural trends, hosting major deposits of coltan and cassiterite alongside world-class gem-quality elbaite tourmaline. Elbaite itself is a complex sodium-lithium-aluminium boro-silicate ring mineral belonging to the tourmaline group, crystallizing typically within lithium-bearing pegmatites where hydrothermal processes and trace chromophores like iron and manganese produce its characteristic zoned, transparent, and brightly colored prismatic crystals.

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