{"product_id":"purple-cap-tourmaline-smoky-quartz-paprok-afghanistan-398g","title":"Purple Cap Tricolor Tourmaline on Smoky Quartz, 398g, Afghanistan","description":"\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA Purple Cap Tricolor Tourmaline From Paprok, Afghanistan\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis tourmaline specimen comes from Paprok, Afghanistan, a locality well known among collectors for producing cap tourmaline with strong, distinct color zoning. At 398 grams, this piece is built around terminated tourmaline crystals that shift to purple at the termination, sitting alongside perfectly shaped smoky quartz crystals and a natural albite matrix that holds the whole formation together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eTricolor tourmaline gets its name from showing color zoning across more than two zones within a single crystal rather than a flat, single tone, and the purple cap here is the clearest example of that zoning on this piece. The smoky quartz crystals add contrast against both the tourmaline and the lighter albite, giving the specimen real visual depth from multiple angles rather than reading flat from a single side. Albite matrix specimens like this one are valued specifically because the feldspar frames the tourmaline naturally rather than requiring a separate mount, so the whole piece looks intentional and complete as it grew. For a closer look at the purple cap and how the smoky quartz sits against the tourmaline, we'd recommend watching the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/shorts\/5B5Io0NQM-E\"\u003evideos of this exact specimen\u003c\/a\u003e, which also include a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/shorts\/pev5dk1RntU\"\u003esecond angle here\u003c\/a\u003e showing the piece from a different side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eInformation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWeight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e398 gram\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSize\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e122 x 85 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShape\/Cut\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNatural Terminated Crystal on Smoky Quartz and Albite\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTricolor with Purple Termination\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClarity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNatural, Included (as formed)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTreatment\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNatural\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePaprok, Afghanistan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHardness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7 to 7.5 (Tourmaline), 7 (Smoky Quartz)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFamily\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTourmaline (Elbaite) with Smoky Quartz and Albite\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGemstone Properties\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBirthstone: October\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZodiac Sign: Libra, Scorpio\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChakra: Heart Chakra, Root Chakra\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHealing Properties: Tourmaline is broadly associated with grounding and emotional balance in crystal healing practice, while smoky quartz is separately valued for grounding energy tied to the root chakra. Together on one specimen, they're a common pick for collectors who work with both display specimens and crystal healing practices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWhy Buy From Minerals Paradise\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWe source tourmaline and combination specimens directly from mines in Afghanistan and Pakistan, cutting out the resellers that usually add markup on cap tourmaline pieces. What you see in the photos and video is the exact specimen you receive, not a similar piece pulled from stock. Every order ships express worldwide, backed by a 30-day return policy. You can \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mineralsparadise.com\/products\/purple-cap-tourmaline-smoky-quartz-paprok-afghanistan-398g\"\u003eview and purchase this specimen directly here\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFor more pieces from the same locality, browse our full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mineralsparadise.com\/collections\/tourmaline-crystals\"\u003eTourmaline Crystals collection\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mineralsparadise.com\/collections\/quartz-crystals\"\u003eQuartz Crystals collection\u003c\/a\u003e. We also carry a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mineralsparadise.com\/products\/blue-cap-tourmaline-with-hambergite-lepidolite-and-smoky-quartz-specimen-from-paprok-tourmaline-for-sale-289-gram\"\u003eblue cap tourmaline with hambergite, lepidolite and smoky quartz from Paprok at 289 grams\u003c\/a\u003e and a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mineralsparadise.com\/products\/natural-watermelon-tourmaline-crystals-on-smoky-quartz-tourmaline-specimen-raw-mineral-tourmaline-from-paproke-afghanistan-135-gram\"\u003ewatermelon tourmaline on smoky quartz from Paprok at 135 grams\u003c\/a\u003e if you want to compare cap tourmaline color varieties from the same mine. To understand tricolor and cap tourmaline within the wider color range, read our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mineralsparadise.com\/blogs\/gemology\/tourmaline-colors-explained-from-watermelon-to-paraiba-the-full-guide\"\u003etourmaline colors guide\u003c\/a\u003e, and for tips on spotting genuine Afghan tourmaline, see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/mineralsparadise.com\/blogs\/gemology\/how-to-identify-natural-tourmaline-crystals-from-afghanistan\"\u003eguide to identifying natural tourmaline crystals from Afghanistan\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFAQS\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does purple cap tourmaline mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003ePurple cap tourmaline refers to a crystal that shifts to purple specifically at its termination, one of several forms of color zoning found in tourmaline from Afghan localities like Paprok.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is tricolor tourmaline?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eTricolor tourmaline shows color zoning across multiple distinct zones within a single crystal, rather than one uniform color running through the whole piece, which is what this specimen demonstrates with its purple termination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this tourmaline specimen natural and untreated?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eYes. This piece from Paprok, Afghanistan is completely natural with no heat treatment or color enhancement. The color zoning is exactly as the crystal formed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat other minerals are included with this tourmaline?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis specimen includes smoky quartz crystals and a natural albite matrix growing alongside the terminated tourmaline crystals, all from the same formation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this specimen suitable for display or for cutting into jewelry stones?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis is sold as a raw mineral specimen for display and collecting. Cutting the tourmaline crystals would remove the natural cap zoning and matrix that give this piece its specimen value.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Minerals Paradise","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47528067236131,"sku":"Lsale","price":5920.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/6833\/0019\/files\/Closeup_of_tourmaline_crystal_purple_termination.jpg?v=1787723746","url":"https:\/\/mineralsparadise.com\/products\/purple-cap-tourmaline-smoky-quartz-paprok-afghanistan-398g","provider":"Minerals Paradise","version":"1.0","type":"link"}