**Complimentary Specimens** As a gesture of appreciation, winning lots with a final hammer price above €50 will include one small additional mineral offered entirely free of charge. ————— Description: Rising with quiet authority from its natural base, this exceptional indicolite tourmaline crystal reveals a colour that immediately commands attention. Its tone belongs to the rare and captivating petrol blue spectrum, a shade that sits delicately between oceanic blue and deep teal, producing a chromatic presence that feels both profound and luminous. The colour begins at the lower section with a softer aquatic blue tone, almost reminiscent of clear tropical waters illuminated from below. As the eye moves upward along the crystal, the saturation gradually intensifies. The hue condenses into a richer and deeper petrol blue, culminating near the termination in a markedly darker zone that approaches a deep midnight teal. This natural vertical colour gradient gives the crystal a remarkable sense of depth and movement, as if the colour itself were flowing upward through the structure of the mineral. The zoning is not abrupt but instead unfolds gradually along the growth axis, preserving a continuous and elegant chromatic transition. Structurally, the crystal exhibits a beautifully preserved prismatic habit. The faces are sharply defined and encircled by delicate longitudinal growth striations that run perfectly parallel along the entire body of the specimen. These natural growth lines emphasise the vertical geometry of the crystal and reflect the orderly conditions under which it formed within the pegmatitic environment. The termination remains largely intact and natural, showing the slightly uneven but authentic surface typical of tourmaline crystals that completed their growth within confined cavities of the host rock. Despite minor natural surface features, the overall morphology remains remarkably well preserved and aesthetically balanced. Light interacts beautifully with the crystal. Under soft illumination the colour reveals its true character, a refined petrol blue tone that maintains depth without becoming opaque. Direct lighting can accentuate the internal brilliance and create lighter blue flashes, but the authentic body colour remains the rich oceanic petrol blue visible under neutral light conditions. In a crystal of such modest dimensions, achieving this level of colour saturation, structural integrity and prismatic clarity is particularly notable. The result is a specimen that carries both mineralogical elegance and strong visual impact, embodying the refined aesthetic that makes fine indicolite tourmaline so desirable among collectors. Specifications: • Weight: 0.57 g • Weight in carats: 2.85 ct • Dimensions: 12.5 × 6 × 5.5 mm • Origin: Minas Gerais, Brazil • Mineral species: Tourmaline • Variety: Indicolite • Crystal habit: Naturally formed prismatic crystal • Colour: Deep petrol blue with darker terminal zone • Colour zoning: Natural vertical colour gradient from lighter aquatic blue to deep petrol blue • Transparency: Transparent to translucent • Lustre: Vitreous • Growth features: Strong longitudinal striations along all crystal faces • Condition: Natural crystal with largely preserved termination • Treatment: None Notable Points: • Exceptional petrol blue colour tone A highly desirable shade within indicolite tourmaline, displaying a rich oceanic blue with subtle teal influence rarely seen in crystals of this size. • Natural vertical colour gradient The crystal shows a smooth transition from lighter aquatic blue at the base to deeper petrol blue toward the termination. • Well preserved prismatic habit The crystal displays a balanced and elegant prismatic geometry with clearly defined faces. • Continuous longitudinal growth striations Fine vertical striations run consistently along the entire crystal, highlighting its natural growth structure. • Intact natural termination The upper section preserves the authentic termination typical of naturally completed tourmaline growth. • Strong colour saturation for its size Despite its compact dimensions, the crystal exhibits remarkable chromatic intensity and depth. • Attractive transparency and internal depth Light penetrates the crystal revealing subtle internal textures that enhance its natural character. • High aesthetic presence The balance between colour, form and structure creates a visually striking specimen. • Classic pegmatitic growth expression The crystal clearly reflects the typical morphology of pegmatite formed tourmaline. • Increasingly scarce colour expression Fine indicolite crystals with this petrol blue tone are becoming progressively harder to source. Collector’s Interest: Indicolite tourmaline has long been regarded as one of the most refined colour expressions within the tourmaline family. Crystals displaying deep petrol blue tones are particularly prized, as this colour arises from a delicate balance of trace elements during formation within lithium rich pegmatites. Specimens combining this distinctive colour with a well defined prismatic structure and visible natural growth features represent a compelling intersection of mineralogical interest and aesthetic beauty. Crystals from the historic pegmatite fields of Minas Gerais remain among the most respected sources for fine indicolite material, and examples displaying such balanced colour saturation and structural integrity are increasingly sought after by serious collectors. This specimen offers precisely that combination: a refined petrol blue tone, coherent crystal geometry and clear evidence of natural growth dynamics preserved in a compact and elegant form. Lapidary Potential: Although indicolite tourmaline can yield beautiful faceted stones, the present specimen strongly favours preservation in its natural crystalline form. The intact prismatic habit, visible growth striations and natural colour gradient form an integrated mineralogical narrative that would inevitably be lost through cutting. For collectors and mineral enthusiasts, the crystal stands as a far more compelling geological object than any potential faceted result, preserving both the structural integrity and the subtle chromatic evolution created during its natural formation. ————- Shipping and Handling: All orders are shipped by Portuguese National Post and UPS. • Dispatch time: within 1 to 3 business days after payment confirmation to Catawiki • Transit time service: between 3 to 7 business days within europe and worldwide, depending on destination national post. • A tracking number is always provided Photography and transparency: All photographs are taken under controlled lighting conditions using a macro lens, carefully selected to present each specimen as accurately as possible. No filters, colour enhancement, or artificial saturation are applied. The lighting setup uses a calibrated 5500K light source, replicating neutral daylight to reveal natural tones, surface features, and internal characteristics. Under warmer or weaker indoor lighting, colours may appear slightly different, which is normal. The purpose of this photographic process is documentation and representation, not visual enhancement. Images are intended to reflect the specimen faithfully as it appears under balanced natural light conditions. Identification and ethics: All specimens offered are natural and described to the best of our knowledge, based on direct sourcing, professional experience, and information provided by trusted suppliers working at the origin. Every effort is made to ensure transparency and accuracy regarding identification, locality, and general characteristics, avoiding misleading statements about treatment, provenance, or nature. Customs and import taxes: Any customs duties, import fees, or local taxes applied by the destination country are entirely the responsibility of the winning bidder. These charges are not included in the auction price or shipping cost and are determined by the buyer’s local authorities. Guarantee and resolution: Customer satisfaction is important. In the unlikely event of an issue such as loss, damage, or discrepancy, please contact us promptly through Catawiki’s messaging system. Each case is handled individually and fairly, with appropriate solutions offered when justified. Appreciation and commitment: We sincerely thank you for your trust. Our work focuses on careful selection, accurate representation, and respectful presentation of mineral specimens with character and interest. Each piece is chosen for its individual qualities rather than speculative or financial considerations. We aim to provide a transparent, reliable, and consistent experience for collectors at all levels. With gratitude, GemPulse Minerals