"The Malkhan pegmatite field in Siberia represents the largest source of gem-grade and specimen-quality tourmaline in Russia. Since their discovery in the 1980s, the Malkhan pegmatites have yielded uniquely beautiful, wonderfully large crystals of wine-red tourmaline with smoky quartz and cleavelandite that rival the great historical tourmaline discoveries in Brazil, California and the Himalayas."
(2019). The Malkhan District. The Mineralogical Record, 50(3 May-June), 245.
Rubellite tourmaline discovered about 100 km north of the Mongolian border in Siberia first appeared on the international market in 2005. By 2015, a few magnificent examples emerged, and were soon recognized among the world’s finest tourmalines, forever altering our perception of the species.
This specimen has two large tourmaline crystals of the finest deep cranberry color, which places it with the best of the rubellite family. This tourmaline is considered the most significant example discovered at this locality. It was chosen to be the cover of the Mineralogical Record in 2019, featuring the complete story and history of this mine.
*Professionally repaired with restoration