Malkhan Pegmatite Field, Krasnyi Chikoy, Zabaykalsky Krai, Russia
12.5 cm tall x 15 cm wide
All rubellite tourmaline is compared to the famous Jonas Mine in Brazil, which for the past 50 years has held the title for the finest known. These recent reddish purple rubellites from Russia are the first to truly challenge that notion. They are mined in a remote location, near the border of Mongolia, with great difficulty under extremely harsh and frigid conditions.
The deep burgundy tourmaline crystals growing out of a whitish quartz matrix create a distinct and captivating contrast.