Luxullianite

Luxullianite is a type of granite that mainly consists of pinkish-red Orthoclase and dark blue to black acicular radiating Tourmaline needles. It also contains varying amounts of Quartz, Muscovite, Chlorite, a little Topaz and Pyrite.Luxullianite is named for Luxulyan (Luxullian), St. Austell District, Cornwall, England, UK where it is found in a granite quarry near Luxulyan. The pink in the Orthclase is caused by minute specks of iron oxides within the feldspar crystals. Luxullianite is not a typical gem and mostly available as tumbled stones. The stones are very attractive with the contrasting bright pinkish-red Orthoclase and black Tourmaline. It is not well known in the gem market but has been thouroughly studied geologically. Luxullianite has long been regarded as a petrological curiosity for its distinctive appearance unique to the type locality at the granite quarry near Luxulyan. The discovery date of Luxullianite is unknown but it was first described by T. G. Bonney in I877.