The Paprok mine in Afghanistan is in the mountains of a mineralogically rich pegmatite field. Situated northeast of Jalalabad in the Nuristan Province, this area is possibly the largest tourmaline deposit in Afghanistan, and frequently produces bicolor or 'watermelon' tourmalines. This Watermelon Tourmaline crystal has a pink center, translucent green outer ring, and a darker/brighter green at one end. It has beautiful vertical striations and basal termination.
2.8g
Length: 21mm
Width: 8mm
Tourmaline is a complex family of aluminum borosilicate minerals mixed with iron, magnesium, or other metals that, depending on the proportions of its components, may form as red, pink, yellow, brown, black, green, blue or violet. Its prismatic, vertically striated crystals may be long and slender, or thick and columnar, and are uniquely triangular in cross-section.