**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: If a Tourmaline could speak, this crystal would tell a layered story of changing chemistry, shifting conditions and uninterrupted growth, each stage recorded in colour along its vertical axis. From base to termination, the stone reveals a continuous chromatic evolution, where each zone reflects a distinct moment in its formation. At its lower section, a luminous rose pink emerges, soft yet clearly defined, with a gentle transparency that allows light to pass through and activate an internal glow. This zone forms the foundation of the crystal, stable and warm, establishing the first stage of its identity. Moving upward, the colour transitions into a fresh green phase, clean and balanced, sitting between light green and slightly cooler tones. This intermediate zone acts as a bridge, both visually and chemically, marking a shift in trace element composition during growth. Above this, the crystal enters a vibrant blue zone, noticeably more saturated and expressive. The tone intensifies, becoming richer and more energetic, introducing contrast while maintaining continuity with the lower sections. At the termination, the crystal culminates in a deep midnight blue, dense and visually powerful. This uppermost zone anchors the entire composition, completing the vertical spectrum with a strong and refined presence. The termination itself is well defined, coherent and naturally resolved. When illuminated from behind, the entire structure comes to life. Light travels through each layer, activating all colour zones simultaneously. The pink base glows with warmth, the green becomes vivid and fresh, and the blue zones intensify dramatically, with the terminal midnight blue revealing a deep internal luminosity rather than appearing opaque. This full body activation gives the crystal a dynamic, almost electric presence under transmitted light. The crystal displays a classic prismatic habit, with well defined vertical striations running along its faces. These growth lines reinforce the longitudinal colour zoning, visually linking external morphology with internal structure. Surface textures remain entirely natural, preserving the geological record of its formation. Transparency ranges from translucent to locally transparent, particularly effective under direct or back illumination, where internal features and colour transitions become more pronounced. This specimen originates from the Paprok region, Nuristan, Afghanistan, one of the world’s most important and respected localities for complex and vividly zoned elbaite tourmalines. The crystal remains completely natural, unpolished and untreated, preserving its full chromatic and structural integrity. The result is a highly expressive multicolour tourmaline crystal where colour, chemistry and crystal growth align in a single, continuous formation. Specifications: • Weight: 0.67 g • Weight in carats: 3.35 ct • Dimensions: 9 × 7 × 7 mm • Origin: Paprok, Nuristan, Afghanistan • Mineral species: Tourmaline • Variety: Elbaite • Chemical formula: Na(Li,Al)₃Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄ • Crystal system: Trigonal • Crystal habit: Prismatic crystal with defined termination • Morphology: Compact crystal with strong vertical development • Colour: Pink, green, blue transitioning to midnight blue • Colour zoning: Natural multicolour longitudinal zoning • Transparency: Translucent to locally transparent • Lustre: Vitreous • Surface features: Natural growth striations and minor surface textures • Light response: Strong internal glow under back illumination • Condition: Natural crystal, unpolished • Treatment: None Notable Points: • Distinct multicolour zoning within a single crystal Clear transition from pink through green and blue into midnight blue. • Strong vertical colour evolution Each zone reflects a different stage of crystal growth and chemistry. • Midnight blue terminal zone Deep and visually powerful top section with strong presence. • Balanced prismatic morphology Compact yet well proportioned crystal with clear structure. • Defined natural termination Termination remains coherent and structurally intact. • Excellent response to back lighting All colour zones activate simultaneously, creating internal glow. • Pink base with soft luminosity Lower section displays gentle but expressive colour. • Intermediate green transition zone Acts as a chromatic bridge between warm and cool tones. • Vibrant blue mid section Adds contrast and depth to the overall composition. • Natural growth striations Clear vertical lines reinforcing the direction of formation. • Untreated natural specimen No cutting, polishing or enhancement. • Afghan origin Paprok is a top tier locality for complex elbaite tourmalines. Collector’s Interest: Multicolour elbaite tourmalines with clearly defined vertical zoning are highly valued among collectors, particularly when the transitions remain natural and visually readable. Crystals that display more than two distinct colour phases, especially including blue and pink within the same growth axis, represent a more complex and desirable category. This specimen stands out through its structured progression from warm to cool tones, culminating in a deep terminal blue that adds both contrast and depth. The ability of the crystal to respond strongly to transmitted light further enhances its visual appeal, revealing its full chromatic architecture in a single view. Its compact form, combined with a complete colour sequence and strong optical response, makes it a compelling piece for collectors focused on colour zoning, pegmatitic minerals and natural crystal development. Lapidary Potential: While the presence of multiple colour zones could, in theory, be explored in a faceted stone, preserving the full sequence of colours in a single cut would be extremely challenging and would inevitably sacrifice part of the crystal’s natural structure. The specimen achieves its highest value in its current state, where its full chromatic progression, crystal morphology and geological history remain intact and fully visible. ————- 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 with CTT service: between 2 to 5 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