This exquisite crystal specimen of Elba𒉰ite Tourmaline comes from the Aricanga Mine in the Safira region of Minas Gerais, Brazil—an area long celebrated for its prolific pegmatite fields and its profound contributions to the worlds of both fine crystal and mineral collecting and gemology. The specimen was unearthed in early 2018 from the♒ now-iconic “Chameleon Pocket,” a find that immediately distinguished itself as one of the most important tourmaline discoveries in recent history. Of the approximately 500 crystals recovered from the pocket, many of those merely single crystals, only a small group—perhaps a dozen—rose to the highest echelon of quality, all of the importance of the discovery was held in this small group. This piece is among that select few.

The visual appeal is undeniable: a radiating cluster of elongated, prismatic tourmaline crystals with intense crimson-magenta color that shift moving upward through transitional zones into vivid apple-green terminations. Two distinct crystal forms are easily visible on the p🐼iece, those with flat terminations and those with multifaceted steep peaked ones. This is not merely incidental but reflects the presence of two distinct growth directions within the same pocket—crystals that developed toward the analogous pole, and those that grew toward the antilogous pole. The analogous crystals display flat, pinacoidal terminations and carry saturated red coloration up to the tip, where they quickly transition to a stipe of clarity and final🉐ly terminate in a flat, striking green cap. The antilogous crystals, by contrast, are characterized by steep, pointed, multi-faceted terminations. Their internal color progression evolves more gradually, transitioning from magenta to a glassy pale intermediate, and finally into a neon-like green tip. The architectural interplay of these two habits in a single, cohesive cluster creates a piece that is both scientifically complex and visually electrifying.

The color saturation of Chameleon pocket is what differentiates it from many other discoveries not only from Aricanga but also from the other mines in the Safira region. The color is unusually open, unusually rich and bright, it carries a brilliance and a “life” making the much more impactful and desirable than other examples. And this specimen imbues the best from the pocket—particularly the red, which verges on optical fluorescence when shone in light, and the green is open and punchy. Each crystal is remarkably gemmy, and many could easily be fashioned into gems. Aiding to the life is the mirror like luster the crystals have throughout. The spatial choreography of the cluster is equally refined, with each major crystal angled slightly apart from its neighbors to preserve visual separation and sculptural balanc🥂e—resulting in an open, dynamic composition that delights the viewer.

Geologically, the Safira region belongs to a belt of fertile pegmatites formed during tectonic episodes roughly 500 million years ago (Neoproterozoic). These pegmatites intruded quartzite and schist host rocks, creating high-pressure cavities enriched in lithium, boron, and other elements essential for tourmaline formation. The Aricanga Mine itself had been worked sporadically for nearly a century, primarily for gem rough𒀰, it came into significant prominence during the mid-2010s when a new phase of development revealed gem-rich veins suitable for both faceting and specimen pres💧ervation. The Chameleon Pocket marked one of the high points of this productive era, and its name derives from the crystals’ exceptional color variability—an indication of changing geochemical conditions during crystallization.

From a market perspective, tourmaline occupies a rare duality: it is one of the most coveted species in both the gem trade and also in the crystal specimen world. While fine rough material from Brazil, Afghanistan, and Africa is routinely fashioned into brightly colored gemstones, the finest crystallized examples—particularly in multi-color zoning—command premium prices that exceed those of their faceted counter🔥parts often exponentially. Historically, tourmaline has held favor for centuries, with Chinese, Egyptian, and later European markets all drawn to its rich palette of color and transparency. In contemporary collecting circles, specimens from the Pederneira and Cruzeiro mines have long stood as benchmarks of quality, but the Aricanga “Chameleon Pocket” has carved out its own place in this category. It produced not only gem-grade crystals, but museum-quality pieces whose complexity, color, and elegance define the aesthetic frontier of the species.

This specimen is among those few outliers—one with🅷 deep color saturation, elegant composition, and outstanding quality, a blend of geologic fortune and artistic beauty.