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Elbaite Tourmaline

Chemical Formula

(Na,Ca)(Li,Mg,Al)(Al,Fe,Mn)6(BO3)3(Si6O18)(OH)4

Chemical Class

Silicates

Properties

Elbaite has four varieties: green, rubelite (rose), indicolite (blue) and achroite (colorless). It has 7.5 hardness, 3.05 to 3.1 density and vitreous gloss. It has longitudinal striations and triangular basal sections.

Origin

Pederneira Mining Reserve Area, São José da Safira, MG.

Curiosities

In Rio Grande do Norte, Paraiba tourmalines are mined (in depletion stage), with strong colors, ranging in blue shades, including neon blue and turquoise and violet, unique in the world, cut as gemstones of very high value.

Use

It has been used as a gemstone since the 16th century.

ABC of mining