{"product_id":"watermelon-tourmaline-on-albite-matrix-51g","title":"Watermelon Tourmaline on Albite Matrix — Brazilian Collector Specimen","description":"\u003cp\u003eA loose crystal tells you what it is. A crystal on matrix tells you where it came from — and that is the whole argument for specimens like this one. The watermelon tourmaline here is still seated in the white albite feldspar it grew against in a Brazilian pegmatite pocket, which makes it a piece of intact geology rather than an extracted stone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe contrast is also simply good to look at: pink and green elbaite against a bright white matrix, the two materials meeting without any of the polishing or repair that so often turns matrix specimens into composites. Fifty-two grams in total, 2.25 inches on its longest edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"color:#2c3a37;font-size:1.35em;margin:1.6em 0 .5em;\"\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatermelon tourmaline on albite matrix\u003c\/strong\u003e — crystal still on host rock\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1.75\" x 1\" x 2.25\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e52 g\u003c\/strong\u003e total\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Brazil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShips within 3 business days\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"color:#2c3a37;font-size:1.35em;margin:1.6em 0 .5em;\"\u003eHow to use it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDisplay it at an angle that shows both the tourmaline and the matrix. The instinct with matrix specimens is to turn the crystal square to the viewer, but the relationship between the two — how the tourmaline sits in the albite — is what distinguishes this from a loose crystal, and it reads best from three-quarters on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHandle it by the matrix, never by the crystal. Tourmaline is brittle across its length and the point where it meets the host rock is the weakest part of the whole specimen. A small display stand or a padded base takes the strain off that junction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"color:#2c3a37;font-size:1.35em;margin:1.6em 0 .5em;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:1.2em 0;font-size:.96em;\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align:left;padding:.6em .7em;background:#f2efe9;color:#2c3a37;border-bottom:2px solid #c9a96e;\"\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align:left;padding:.6em .7em;background:#f2efe9;color:#2c3a37;border-bottom:2px solid #c9a96e;\"\u003eThis piece\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:.6em .7em;border-bottom:1px solid #e3ded4;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eCrystal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:.6em .7em;border-bottom:1px solid #e3ded4;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eWatermelon tourmaline (elbaite)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:.6em .7em;border-bottom:1px solid #e3ded4;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eMatrix\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:.6em .7em;border-bottom:1px solid #e3ded4;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eAlbite feldspar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:.6em .7em;border-bottom:1px solid #e3ded4;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eDimensions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:.6em .7em;border-bottom:1px solid #e3ded4;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e1.75\" x 1\" x 2.25\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:.6em .7em;border-bottom:1px solid #e3ded4;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eWeight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:.6em .7em;border-bottom:1px solid #e3ded4;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e52 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:.6em .7em;border-bottom:1px solid #e3ded4;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:.6em .7em;border-bottom:1px solid #e3ded4;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eBrazil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:.6em .7em;border-bottom:1px solid #e3ded4;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eListing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:.6em .7em;border-bottom:1px solid #e3ded4;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eThe specific piece pictured\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,#000D0B,#40514E);color:#e8e4dc;padding:1.4em 1.5em;border-radius:10px;margin:1.8em 0;line-height:1.65;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color:#c9a96e;margin:0 0 .5em;font-size:1.1em;\"\u003e✨ Temple Tip\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003eNever lift a matrix specimen by the crystal. It is the single most common way collector pieces are damaged — the tourmaline feels solid, but the join to the albite is the weak point, and it separates cleanly and permanently. Always take the weight under the rock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"color:#2c3a37;font-size:1.35em;margin:1.6em 0 .5em;\"\u003eQuestions we get asked\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border:1px solid #e3ded4;border-radius:8px;padding:.75em 1em;margin:.6em 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;font-weight:600;color:#2c3a37;\"\u003eWhat is albite?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:.7em 0 0;\"\u003eA white sodium feldspar, one of the common matrix minerals in the granite pegmatites that produce gem tourmaline. Its brightness is why it makes such a good backdrop for pink and green elbaite.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border:1px solid #e3ded4;border-radius:8px;padding:.75em 1em;margin:.6em 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;font-weight:600;color:#2c3a37;\"\u003eWhy buy tourmaline on matrix rather than loose?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:.7em 0 0;\"\u003eMatrix shows the crystal in the association it actually formed in, which is a more complete mineralogical object — and intact matrix specimens are harder to recover from a pocket than loose crystals, so they are less common.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border:1px solid #e3ded4;border-radius:8px;padding:.75em 1em;margin:.6em 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;font-weight:600;color:#2c3a37;\"\u003eIs the weight 51 or 52 grams?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:.7em 0 0;\"\u003eThe supplier's product title says 51 g and their specification says 52 g. We have used 52 g throughout because that is the figure in the detailed description, but treat it as approximate to within a gram.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border:1px solid #e3ded4;border-radius:8px;padding:.75em 1em;margin:.6em 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;font-weight:600;color:#2c3a37;\"\u003eHas it been repaired or glued?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:.7em 0 0;\"\u003eNothing in the supplier's description mentions repair, and we will not state either way beyond what they provide. If a confirmed no-repair declaration matters for your collection, ask us and we will put the question to them.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border:1px solid #e3ded4;border-radius:8px;padding:.75em 1em;margin:.6em 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;font-weight:600;color:#2c3a37;\"\u003eHow should I store it?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:.7em 0 0;\"\u003eOn a stand or a padded base, supported under the matrix, somewhere it will not be knocked. Dust with a soft dry brush; no ultrasonic cleaning.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-top:1.6em;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCrystal and host rock, still together — the way it came out of the pocket.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e#TempleOfDesire\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What is albite?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"A white sodium feldspar, one of the common matrix minerals in the granite pegmatites that produce gem tourmaline. Its brightness is why it makes such a good backdrop for pink and green elbaite.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Why buy tourmaline on matrix rather than loose?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Matrix shows the crystal in the association it actually formed in, which is a more complete mineralogical object — and intact matrix specimens are harder to recover from a pocket than loose crystals, so they are less common.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is the weight 51 or 52 grams?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The supplier's product title says 51 g and their specification says 52 g. We have used 52 g throughout because that is the figure in the detailed description, but treat it as approximate to within a gram.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Has it been repaired or glued?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Nothing in the supplier's description mentions repair, and we will not state either way beyond what they provide. If a confirmed no-repair declaration matters for your collection, ask us and we will put the question to them.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How should I store it?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"On a stand or a padded base, supported under the matrix, somewhere it will not be knocked. Dust with a soft dry brush; no ultrasonic cleaning.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Rare Earth Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54415403581777,"sku":"4551","price":612.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1063\/0194\/8241\/files\/IMG_20250126_163706_02.jpg?v=1785093221","url":"https:\/\/www.templeofdesire.com\/products\/watermelon-tourmaline-on-albite-matrix-51g","provider":"Temple of Desire","version":"1.0","type":"link"}