This exceptional 3.4-gram tourmaline crystal is a rare and historically significant specimen from the legendary Tourmaline Queen Mine in Pala, California—an iconic American pegmatite locality famed for its vivid pink rubellite, deep blue caps, and gem-quality elbaite crystals. This particular crystal was recovered in 2001 during my own production at the Queen, and it represents one of the finest examples of the rare zinc-bearing blue-purple tourmaline known from the region.

Unlike most blue tourmalines, which owe their color to iron, this crystal exhibits a unique dark indigo-blue to violet hue caused by zinc substitution in the crystal structure. This distinctive coloration is exclusive to the Pala pegmatite district, and especially to the Tourmaline Queen Mine, which is world-renowned for producing rich magenta rubellites capped by deep blue terminations. This piece carries that same unmistakable spectral tone—intense, saturated, and glowing with internal gemmy clarity.

The crystal features classic prismatic form with excellent luster and well-defined faces, making it a standout example from what was one of the most productive pockets for blue tourmaline gem pencils ever found at the Queen. Pieces of this caliber, especially from known historic mining efforts in the early 2000s, are incredibly scarce on the market.

The Tourmaline Queen Mine has been a celebrated source of American gem minerals since the early 20th century, particularly following the famous 1972 pocket discovery that produced some of the finest blue-cap tourmalines ever unearthed. This specimen continues that legacy—not only as a mineralogical rarity but also as a direct link to one of North America's most storied gem localities.