Elbaite

Big Photo

Paraíba Tourmaline
Brazil
1.77 carats
© Palagems

Elbaite is named after the island of Elba, Italy. Elbaite forms three series, with dravite, liddicoatite, and schorl.

Elbaite Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Elbaite Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Elbaite gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:0.15 cts
Heaviest:13.42 cts
Average:3.60 cts
Total photos:21
Do you have a larger Elbaite? Why not upload a photo?
0.15ct to 1.48ct1.48ct to 2.80ct2.80ct to 4.13ct4.13ct to 5.46ct5.46ct to 6.79ct6.79ct to 8.11ct8.11ct to 9.44ct9.44ct to 10.77ct10.77ct to 12.09ct12.09ct to 13.42ct
General Information
A variety or type of:Tourmaline
Varieties/Types:
Copper-bearing Elbaite - A copper-bearing Elbaite.
Chemical Formula
Na(Li
 
1.5
Al
 
1.5
)Al
 
6
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(BO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
(OH)
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
More from other references
Physical Properties of Elbaite
Mohs Hardness7
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Specific Gravity2.90 to 3.10
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
TenacityBrittle
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Cleavage QualityIndistinct
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
More from other references
FractureUneven,Conchoidal
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Optical Properties of Elbaite
Refractive Index1.614 to 1.666
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Optical CharacterUniaxial/-
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) Under strain may show slight biaxiality
Birefringence0.014 to 0.032
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
PleochroismPink, pale green, pale to deep blue - colorless, yellow, olive-green, purplish
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Dispersion0.017
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Colour
Colour (General)Green, blue, red, orange, yellow, colorless, zoning common parallel to trigonal outline; colorless in thin section.
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Causes of ColourGreen, Fe2+ and Ti4+ in octahedral coordination, influence of various charge transfer processes involving iron is a distinct possibility. Yellow-green, Mn2+-O-Ti4+ charge transfer. Greenish yellow, Mn2+ in octahedral coordination (rare). Orange, yellow + pink. Pink to red, related to manganese, generally believed to be due to Mn3+ in octahedral coordination, sometimes caused by irradiation. Brown, Fe2+Ti4+ charge transfer
W. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011)
TransparencyTransparent,Translucent
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
LustreVitreous,Resinous
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Fluorescence & other light emissions
Fluorescence (General)Weak to none
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Crystallography of Elbaite
Crystal SystemHexagonal
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
HabitCrystals prismatic to acicular, with prominent trigonal prism and pyramid, to 1.6 m, commonly hemimorphic. Also radial,
fibrous, and massive.
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Geological Environment
Where found:In granites, granite pegmatites, and some metamorphic rocks; in high-temperature hydrothermal veins; detrital in sediments.
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Further Information
Mineral information:Elbaite information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
Brazil
 
  • Minas Gerais
    • Conselheiro Pena
      • Barra do Cuieté
Kievlenko E.Ya., Geology of gems, 2003, p. 113
    • Governador Valadares
  • Paraíba
    • Salgadinho
      • São José da Batalha
[Copper-bearing Elbaite var: Paraíba Tourmaline] Wilson, W. E. (2002): Cuprian elbaite from the Batalha Mine, Paraíba, Brazil. Mineralogical Record, 33: 127-137
Mozambique
 
  • Nampula Province
    • Mogovolas District
Myanmar
 
  • Mandalay Region
    • Pyin-Oo-Lwin District
      • Mogok Township
        • Kyauk-Pyat-That
          • Thurein-taung
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Mogok Valley
          • Dattaw-taung (Dattaw hill)
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
    • Yamethin District
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Sri Lanka
 
  • Sabaragamuwa Province
    • Ratnapura District
      • Ratnapura
USA
 
  • California
    • San Diego County
      • Mesa Grande Mining District
        • Gem Hill
Min.Rec.:20(5):399. / Foord, E.E. (1977): Famous mineral localities. The Himalaya Dike System. Mineralogical Record 8, 461-475
      • Pala Mining District
        • Pala
          • Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala Mtn; Queen Mtn)
Fisher, J. 2002. Gem and rare-element pegmatites of southern California. Mineralogical Record, Vol. 33: pages 378-381.
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