Elbaite with Lepidolite on Quartz

LOCATION:

Stewart Mine, Pala District, San Diego County, California, USA

DESCRIPTION:

This is a large, blocky Stewart Mine Quartz crystal with a sharp termination, which has several well-developed, completely crystallized faces; the rest of the crystal is completely rehealed. One face is completely intergrown with light purple Lepidolite and clear Elbaites with just the slightest pink cast, to 27 mm. There are interesting trigonal growth patterns on another face. Several Elbaites are broken, and the termination on the Quartz has a small conchoidal chip. This is an nicely representative specimen from this famous California locality.

SIZE: 97 x 83 x 54 mm overall (Large Cabinet)
         up to 27 mm Elbaites