DESCRIPTION: This exceptional Watermelon Tourmaline slice from the Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil, displays an unusually refined and highly symmetrical chromatic architecture, combining vivid colour zoning with a remarkably preserved hexagonal core geometry. The specimen offers an elegant natural cross section through the crystal, where growth chemistry and structural order have combined to create a composition of striking visual balance and immediate recognisability. At the centre lies a beautifully defined hexagonal core displaying a delicate yet intensely attractive Neon Pink colouration. This luminous pink is enriched by subtle rose and blush undertones that diffuse throughout the interior. The result is a nucleus that appears almost illuminated from within, creating a gentle optical glow and a remarkable sense of internal vitality. One of the most remarkable features of this specimen is the perfection of the central geometry. The core preserves an exceptionally regular hexagonal outline, with each side developing in near perfect symmetry. Such geometric preservation allows the original crystal growth architecture to remain fully readable. The visual effect is one of deliberate design, despite being entirely natural in origin. Encircling this central nucleus is a sharply defined Lemon coloured intermediate zone. This layer displays a vivid yellow dominant character with only minor green influence, producing a bright citrus hue of exceptional brightness and clarity. Under illumination, this Lemon zone becomes highly expressive, generating a luminous chromatic boundary around the pink core and creating a strong visual contrast between the inner and outer structures. Beyond the Lemon ring, an extremely thin external rim emerges along the outermost perimeter of the specimen. Measuring approximately half a millimetre in thickness, this final zone returns to the same Neon Pink family observed within the central nucleus. The presence of this outer pink boundary is particularly fascinating because it creates a chromatic sequence in which the crystal begins with pink, transitions through Lemon, and ultimately concludes with a second pink rim. This repetition of colour at opposite ends of the growth structure generates an unusually sophisticated zoning pattern and gives the specimen a remarkable sense of visual harmony. The interaction between these three distinct chromatic domains creates a visual rhythm that immediately captures attention. The specimen reveals a complex architecture where colour reappears during successive growth stages, recording subtle changes in chemistry throughout the crystal’s development. Transparency remains excellent throughout much of the slice, allowing light to penetrate deeply into the specimen and illuminate the internal zoning. Under transmitted light, the Lemon ring becomes particularly vibrant, while the Neon Pink nucleus develops additional luminosity and depth. This optical behaviour dramatically enhances the separation between colour zones and reinforces the exceptional symmetry of the central structure. The slice also benefits from a generous thickness that contributes positively to the specimen’s visual presence, allowing the colours to develop greater depth and saturation while preserving the original crystal character. Fine growth textures and natural internal features remain visible throughout the specimen. These characteristics reinforce its authenticity and provide insight into the geological processes responsible for the formation of its unusual colour architecture. Material from the Jequitinhonha Valley has long been celebrated among collectors for producing some of Brazil’s most attractive colour zoned elbaites. The combination of a precise hexagonal core, vivid Lemon intermediate ring and outer Neon Pink rim creates a specimen of exceptional aesthetic appeal and remarkably legible crystal growth history. This is a specimen whose appeal extends far beyond colour alone. It is a naturally preserved record of crystal evolution, expressed through symmetry, luminosity and an uncommon sequence of repeating chromatic zones. SPECIFICATIONS: • Weight: 0.66 g • Weight in carats: 3.30 ct • Dimensions: 10 × 9 × 3 mm • Origin: Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil • Mineral species: Tourmaline • Variety: Watermelon Elbaite Tourmaline • Crystal system: Trigonal • Form: Natural crystal slice • Core structure: Symmetrical hexagonal Neon Pink nucleus • Colour zoning: Triple stage concentric zoning • Colour sequence: Neon Pink core, Lemon intermediate ring, Neon Pink outer rim • Transparency: Translucent to locally transparent • Lustre: Vitreous • Surface features: Natural growth textures and preserved crystal boundaries • Optical behaviour: Strong colour activation under transmitted light • Treatment: None • Condition: Natural intact slice NOTABLE POINTS: • Exceptionally Symmetrical Hexagonal Core The central nucleus preserves a remarkably regular hexagonal geometry, allowing the original crystal growth structure to remain clearly visible and unusually well defined. • Attractive Neon Pink Central Nucleus The core displays a luminous Neon Pink colouration with delicate rose undertones, creating a vibrant yet elegant focal point. • Distinct Lemon Intermediate Ring A vivid Lemon coloured zone surrounds the nucleus, producing a bright citrus contrast with exceptional clarity and visual impact. • Double Pink Architecture The specimen displays Neon Pink both at the centre and again along the outermost perimeter, creating a highly distinctive repeating colour sequence. • Extremely Thin External Pink Rim The outer boundary consists of a delicate pink layer approximately half a millimetre thick, providing an elegant finishing frame around the specimen. • Strong Chromatic Contrast The interaction between the Neon Pink and Lemon zones generates immediate visual impact while maintaining excellent harmony. • Excellent Colour Readability Each colour phase remains clearly separated from adjacent zones, allowing the complete growth architecture to be observed without ambiguity. • Enhanced Behaviour Under Transmitted Light Backlighting dramatically increases the intensity of both the Lemon ring and the Neon Pink nucleus, revealing additional depth and brilliance. • Generous Slice Thickness The specimen possesses substantial volume, enhancing colour saturation, depth and visual presence. • Natural Crystal Growth Features Preserved Fine internal textures and growth characteristics remain visible throughout the specimen, preserving geological authenticity. • Highly Organised Chromatic Structure The zoning appears balanced and coherent, giving the specimen an almost architectural quality despite its entirely natural origin. • Premium Brazilian Provenance Originating from the Jequitinhonha Valley, one of Brazil’s most respected sources of colour zoned elbaite tourmalines. • Untreated Natural Material The colours, zoning and internal features are entirely natural and unmodified. • Unusual Growth Chemistry Record The return of Neon Pink at the outer perimeter records a distinctive change in growth conditions during the crystal’s development. • Collector Quality Watermelon Slice The combination of geometric precision, vivid colours and sophisticated zoning architecture creates a highly compelling collector specimen. COLLECTOR’S INTEREST: Collectors place particular value on watermelon tourmalines that preserve both strong colour contrast and clearly readable internal architecture. This specimen succeeds in both respects through its unusual colour sequence and highly organised internal structure. The combination of a symmetrical Neon Pink hexagonal nucleus, a vibrant Lemon intermediate zone and an outer Neon Pink rim creates a chromatic arrangement that is immediately distinctive. The crystal records a complex growth history in which pink appears twice during different stages of formation, creating an elegant and visually memorable architecture. The highly regular geometry of the central nucleus further enhances the appeal of the specimen. It offers both aesthetic beauty and mineralogical significance, making it especially attractive for collectors interested in colour zoning, crystal growth and expressive elbaite formations. LAPIDARY POTENTIAL: Although the material possesses attractive colour and sufficient transparency to invite consideration for lapidary use, any cutting or reshaping would permanently destroy the exceptional zoning architecture that defines the specimen. Its greatest value lies in its preservation as a natural crystal slice, where the precise relationship between the Neon Pink nucleus, the luminous Lemon ring and the delicate outer Neon Pink rim can be appreciated exactly as it developed during crystal growth. In its present form, the specimen serves both as a collector piece and as an elegant natural demonstration of complex tourmaline colour zoning. ——————— 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 2 to 5 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