RARE LOCALE Tourmaline var Elbaite. Ofiki Mine, Nigeria. For Sale

Tourmaline var Elbaite

Ofiki, Oyo State, Nigeria

Ex Gazmuri Collection #0963

Ex Austin Cockell Collection

Thumbnail 2.4 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm

12.86 g

Tourmaline from Ofiki is seldom seen on the general market, and more often arises out of old collections, as the boom for this material was primarily in the 90s. This crystal boasts multiple colors, mainly green, some yellow and thin bands of pinkish red, or rubellite, for which this area is better known. The termination is a highly modified pinacoid with excellent form and incredibly little to no damage. The most fascinating feature of this piece and what makes it especially unique is the banded pleochroism that it exhibits in polarized light/filter. When held against a polarized screen and turned 90 degrees, the crystals color "opens" to a brighter shade and when held at the opposing angle it "closes", revealing a profile of horizontal bands of darker color/shade that is unseen otherwise. A truly mystical object, there is a reason these have been highly sought after by collectors in the modern market. Excellent, trophy crystals of this material have been known to sell for up to $400 a gram or more!