ELBAITE TOURMALINE, variety Rubellite
Na(Li,Al)₃Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₂(OH)₄
Pala Chief mine, Pala, San Diego County, California

The Pala Chief mine, most famous for kunzite, has also produced some of the finest crystals of the red variety of tourmaline known as rubellite. This exceptional crystal was probably found during the early 1900s.

Size: 16 cm tall

Acquired: 1981 donation from Allan Caplan.

Disposition: On display in the California Minerals exhibit.

Catalog Number: 22687