Spectacular lot of Afghan Tourmaline running from a lovely Paraiba Blue to a Deep Electric Sapphire Blue. This is some of the best Blue colored material we have seen coming from Afghanistan in a very long time as far as Blues are considered. This material is from a relatively new find and we had originally thought this was Paraiba Type Tourmaline. GIA currently has several samples and is still testing the material though we have received an initial analysis that did not confirm this as being Paraiba Type Tourmaline. Overall this material is a bit dark with the bulk of the lot having a dark or closed C axis; however, the intensity of the Blue color on these is very unusual and everyone who initially reviewed the material thought it was Sapphire. This is a rarity to find in this color from Afghanistan and we were lucky to have this lot come by us at a reasonable price. Their is one stone in here that looks like the Windex color that is the trademark of Paraiba and we are confident with a little hard work and some planning you will get a few spectacular stones from the Lot.

Please note that these stones are unusually shaped as the original crystals were very large and dark and as a result had to be broken up. A few of these stones are on the thin side and will have below average weight return. Overall 80% of this material looks like it is capable of cutting Eye-clean to Very Slightly Included and this is a BARGAIN for the right person.  This is one of the best lots we currently have up for the price and is likely to go quick so don't pass this by!

1. Afghan Tourmaline pockets tend to be relatively small in size and as a result consistency in color & quality is a rarity! We have never seen Afghan Tourmaline sold by the kilo with like colored and quality material and lots are generally small in size seldom going over 1/2-1 kilo.

2. All Afghan Tourmaline is exhumed from primary deposits and as a result mining costs are considerably higher due to dynamite expenditures and traveling expenditures to get to remote mining areas. It is also interesting to note that since all Afghan Tourmaline is from primary deposits most rough will usually have sharp crystal faces.