Mineral Specimen #83 Tourmaline (Elbaite)
 
Himalaya Mine, Gem Hill, Mesa Grande District, San Diego County, California, USA
 
This is the classic pink Tourmaline from the Himalaya Mine. This material was mined extensively in the late 1800s. At the time, it was exported to China where it was extremely popular in the imperial court. I have even seen snuff bottles carved in China from this material. I do not the when exactly this specimen was mined; it came from an old collection in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

4.5 x 2.5 x 2 cm