**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: Some minerals reveal their beauty through colour, others through form. Very rarely, a crystal reveals the very history of its own formation frozen inside its structure, and this remarkable elbaite tourmaline slice is one of those rare geological records. Seen in cross section, the specimen displays an extraordinary internal architecture built around a vivid pink central nucleus that surrounds three distinct dark green cores. These cores do not follow the usual triangular or hexagonal symmetry expected in tourmaline growth, but instead appear as freeform crystalline nuclei, preserved exactly as they formed during the earliest stages of crystallisation within the pegmatitic cavity. This uncommon structure originates from multiple nucleation events during the initial growth phase of the crystal. In highly saturated pegmatitic fluids rich in boron, aluminium and silica, several microcrystalline tourmaline seeds can begin growing simultaneously, later merging into a single larger crystal while still preserving the original internal centres of growth. The three dark green nuclei represent this earliest stage of formation, where iron rich chemistry dominated the fluid composition. Their deep green colour reflects the presence of iron within the crystal lattice, while their irregular shapes indicate rapid and unstable initial crystallisation before the crystal structure stabilised into its characteristic trigonal symmetry. As the pegmatitic fluid evolved chemically, manganese became more dominant and the crystal continued growing around these early cores. This change in chemistry produced the vivid pink elbaite zone that now surrounds the three nuclei, forming a luminous internal ring that highlights the remarkable geometry of the structure. Encasing this inner architecture, the outer rim of the slice displays a darker violet to deep purple tourmaline zone. This final growth phase likely reflects a renewed chemical shift within the pegmatitic environment, producing a darker iron and manganese balance and creating the dramatic external frame that visually contains the entire internal composition. Under transmitted light the specimen becomes even more striking. The internal zoning activates vividly, revealing the contrast between the three dark green nuclei, the radiant pink intermediate zone and the deep violet outer rim, creating an almost geological map of the crystal’s growth history. Slices that preserve such complex multi core structures are exceptionally uncommon, particularly when the internal architecture remains so clearly legible. Rather than a simple colour zoned tourmaline slice, this specimen represents a rare example of multi core pegmatitic crystallisation captured in perfect cross section. Specifications: • Weight: 0.33 g • Weight in carats: 1.65 ct • Dimensions: 7 × 7 × 3 mm • Origin: Minas Gerais, Brazil • Mineral species: Tourmaline • Variety: Elbaite Tourmaline • Form: Natural crystal slice • Colour: Dark green cores within pink nucleus surrounded by violet outer rim • Colour zoning: Multi core internal zoning with concentric external growth phases • Transparency: Translucent • Lustre: Vitreous • Treatment: None Notable Points: • Extremely rare triple core internal structure visible in cross section. Three distinct nuclei are preserved inside the crystal rather than a single central core. • Internal nuclei display irregular freeform geometry rather than standard triangular symmetry. This reflects early stage rapid crystallisation within a pegmatitic fluid environment. • Deep green colour of the cores indicates iron rich chemistry during the earliest growth phase. These nuclei represent the first crystallisation centres of the tourmaline. • The surrounding pink elbaite zone formed during a later manganese enriched growth stage. This creates a vivid chromatic contrast with the darker internal cores. • Outer rim displays a darker violet tourmaline phase. This indicates a final chemical shift in the pegmatitic fluid during the last stage of crystal growth. • Slice reveals three separate crystallisation stages within a single crystal structure. Each colour zone corresponds to a different chemical environment during formation. • Internal architecture becomes highly visible under transmitted light. Backlighting reveals the full geometry of the triple core structure. • The preservation of multiple nucleation centres inside a single tourmaline crystal is uncommon. Most tourmalines display only one central growth nucleus. • Freeform internal cores provide evidence of unstable early crystallisation conditions. Later growth phases stabilised into more organised crystal structures. • The slice format allows direct observation of the internal mineralogical history. Few specimens preserve such a clear cross sectional record of pegmatitic growth. • Colour zoning remains natural and coherent without artificial enhancement. All structures visible correspond to natural pegmatitic crystallisation processes. • Compact dimensions concentrate an unusually complex internal structure. The specimen offers exceptional geological interest despite its small size. Collector’s Interest: For collectors of tourmaline, specimens that reveal internal growth history are among the most fascinating pieces. While many slices display simple concentric colour zoning, this specimen preserves a far rarer phenomenon: multiple original crystallisation centres embedded within a later growing crystal. The presence of three preserved nuclei inside a single elbaite crystal provides a clear visual demonstration of complex pegmatitic crystallisation processes. Pieces displaying such multi core internal architecture are rarely encountered, especially when the zoning remains so clearly visible and aesthetically striking. This slice therefore occupies an interesting intersection between mineral specimen and geological record. It offers both strong visual character and genuine scientific relevance within a compact and elegant format. Lapidary Potential: Although the specimen is best appreciated in its natural slice form, the material displays attractive colour contrast and sufficient translucency for selective jewellery applications. Any lapidary work would need to preserve the internal architecture, as the value of the piece lies primarily in the visible triple core structure. For this reason the slice format itself represents the most meaningful presentation. In this form, the crystal functions not merely as decorative material but as a preserved cross section of a complex pegmatitic growth history. ——————— Shipping and Handling: All orders are shipped by Portuguese National Post. • Dispatch time: within 1 to 3 business days after payment confirmation to Catawiki • Transit time with CTT service: between 5 to 7 business days within europe and worldwide, depending on destination national post. • A tracking number is always provided Photography and transparency: All photos were taken under controlled light conditions, carefully selected to reproduce the most accurate natural color of each specimen. No filters, color enhancement, or artificial saturation were applied. The lighting setup is used exclusively to represent the piece as it appears under neutral daylight, ensuring that buyers can appreciate its true tones and luster without distortion. Identification and ethics: All specimens offered are guaranteed natural and as described. Their origin and mineral identification are provided with the most accurate and reliable information available. Every effort is made to ensure that each piece is presented with full transparency, avoiding any misleading details regarding its nature, treatment, or provenance. 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 a priority. In the event of any issue, such as loss, damage, or discrepancy, please contact us immediately through Catawiki’s messaging system. We will always find a fair and suitable solution, including refund, replacement, or other commercial arrangements whenever justified. Appreciation and commitment: We sincerely thank you for your trust and preference. Our goal is to continuously bring you some of the most beautiful, unique, and exceptional mineral specimens from around the world. Each piece is carefully selected for its quality and character, ensuring that every purchase meets the highest standards. Your satisfaction and confidence are our top priorities, and we will always strive to exceed your expectations with every order. With gratitude, GemPulse Minerals