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 light pink center with light inclusions and a hollow opening at the end, surrounded by a pale green outer ring. The opposite has a brighter green cap with basal termination.
2.7g
Length: 17mm
Width: 8mmx 10mm
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.