Superb Gem TOURMALINE with COPPER platelets - Brazil

A very interesting and rare inclusion gem - Tourmaline with platelets of native copper.  This gem was part of a very limited find of this material a couple of years ago.  We put this one aside and waited to see if any more rough would become available; it has not.  Previously the only documented examples of copper platelets as inclusions in Tourmaline occured with some of initial finds of Paraiba Tourmaline.  There is a great photo of a Paraiba with precipitated copper in Gems and Gemology Fall 1994, pg. 180.  The platelets in this gem have the same morphology and have been identified as copper.  A fascinating inclusion gem with a very aesthetic look.

This gem is totally natural and untreated.  Tourmaline has a hardness of 7 to 7 1/2 on the Moh's scale and is suitable for a limited use in jewelry.   

Weight:  0.38 ct.                      Clarity: Slightly Included

     Measurements:  5.77 x 5.3 mm               Treatments:  None

The Gem Trader is owned and operated by a GIA Graduate Gemologist whose interest is in rare and unusual colored stones.  We strive to obtain the best material and make it available to collectors and custom jewelry designers at reasonable prices - both in our auctions and on our website.  Feel free to follow the "me" icon and find out a little more about us.  We also invite you to have a look around the internet at rare stone prices and you'll see how difficult it is obtain these stones at decent prices.  Please have a look at our other auctions for some great pieces this week, we are running quite few nice rarities.  Be sure to bookmark our future auctions and have a look at our website as well.

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