Elbaite Tourmaline – Lemon Pocket, Gem Crystal with Rare Yellow Zoning

An exceptional and highly coveted single-crystal elbaite tourmaline from the legendary “Lemon Pocket” discovery at Coronel Murta—one of the most memorable and stylistically unique Brazilian finds of the early 21st century. This crystal immediately distinguishes itself through its remarkably thick and saturated yellow zone, a color expression that is exceedingly rare in tourmaline. Yellow tourmaline of this depth and intensity is seldom encountered, and in this case, it forms a luminous cap that glows with rich golden to lemon hues, transitioning seamlessly into delicate rosy-pink and warm amber tones below. The color zoning is both dramatic and harmonious, creating a vertical composition that is visually arresting and highly desirable. The crystal is translucent to transparent, with excellent internal brightness that allows light to penetrate and illuminate the internal structure. Fine parallel growth striations run the length of the prism, enhancing the sense of verticality while preserving a clean, gemmy appearance overall. The termination is superbly sharp and lustrous, exhibiting the classic “machined” precision for which the Lemon Pocket crystals became famous. Faces are smooth, glassy, and highly reflective, reinforcing the specimen’s top-tier quality. Internally, subtle inclusions and reflective planes add depth without detracting from the crystal’s clarity. Of particular importance is the provenance: the Lemon Pocket (circa 2005) produced a limited number of crystals that quickly dispersed into major collections. Pieces of this caliber—especially those with such a pronounced yellow cap and large size—are now firmly held and only rarely re-enter the market. The specimen’s elegant proportions, strong color zoning, exceptional luster, and historical significance place it firmly in the category of high-end, investment-grade tourmaline. Mounted on a custom lucite base, it presents beautifully as a standalone display piece. A museum-quality example of one of Brazil’s most distinctive tourmaline occurrences—combining rarity, size, and aesthetic excellence in a single crystal. https://vimeo.com/1019504061