Gem quality tourmaline was discovered in 1994, near O’Grady Lake, about 110 kilometers north-northwest of the town of Tungsten, Northwest Territories. Translucent to transparent elbaite occurs in crystal-lined cavities in granitic pegmatite. Crystals are typically colour zoned. Most common are crystals with pink and brownish-pink outer rims and black cores. Other colours include olive-green, orange-brown, and blue. Pinkish crystals range in size to 9.5 cm long. Transparent areas suitable for faceting occur between veils and fractures in some crystals. Other mineral species to yield faceted stones from this remote locality include danburite and smoky quartz.