Tourmaline is a semiprecious gemstone celebrated for its extraordinary range of color, and few varieties are as iconic as the Blue Cap tourmalines of Tourmaline Queen Mine. Recovered during the legendary 1972 Blue Cap Pocket, these specimens are instantly recognizable for their vivid pink to red bodies crowned by striking blue terminations. Of the approximately thirty-five specimens recovered, only a small number retained any matrix (host rock), making in-matrix examples exceptionally rare and highly prized. Blue Cap tourmalines are widely regarded as among the most important mineral discoveries ever made in California and remain benchmarks for the species worldwide.
This exceptional specimen exemplifies the finest qualities of the Blue Cap Pocket. The crystal displays a powerful cranberry red body that transitions through subtle tonal shifts before culminating in a saturated blue cap, all accentuated by strong translucency and high luster. Its smooth, flat termination and sharply defined prism faces reflect the care with which the pocket was mined, while the presence of contrasting matrix elevates the composition to a level achieved by only a handful of examples from the find. Instantly recognizable, historically significant, and aesthetically commanding, this specimen stands among the most important tourmaline crystals known and represents a singular treasure of the mineralogical world.