Elbaite: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 15:37, 9 December 2024

Elbaite

Elbaite is a mineral species belonging to the tourmaline group. It is a complex borosilicate mineral with a wide range of colors, which makes it highly valued as a gemstone. Elbaite is named after the island of Elba, Italy, where it was first discovered.

Chemical Composition[edit]

Elbaite has the chemical formula Na(Li,Al)₃Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄. It is a sodium, lithium, and aluminum-rich member of the tourmaline group. The presence of various trace elements can cause a wide range of colors in elbaite, including green, pink, red, blue, and multicolored varieties.

Crystal Structure[edit]

Elbaite crystallizes in the trigonal system, typically forming prismatic crystals with a triangular cross-section. The crystals are often vertically striated and can be quite large. The structure of elbaite is characterized by a complex arrangement of silicate tetrahedra, borate groups, and metal cations.

Physical Properties[edit]

Color: Elbaite can be found in a variety of colors, including green, pink, red, blue, and colorless. The color is often zoned, with different colors appearing in the same crystal.
Luster: Vitreous
Hardness: 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale
Specific Gravity: Approximately 3.0 to 3.2
Cleavage: Indistinct
Fracture: Conchoidal to uneven

Occurrence[edit]

Elbaite is commonly found in pegmatites, which are coarse-grained igneous rocks. It is often associated with other minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and lepidolite. Notable localities for elbaite include Brazil, Afghanistan, Madagascar, and the United States.

Uses[edit]

Elbaite is primarily used as a gemstone. Its wide range of colors and clarity make it a popular choice for jewelry. The most prized elbaite gemstones are those with vivid colors and high transparency.

Varieties[edit]

Elbaite has several well-known varieties based on color:

Rubellite: Red to pink elbaite
Indicolite: Blue elbaite
Verdelite: Green elbaite
Watermelon Tourmaline: Elbaite with a pink center and green outer zone

Also see[edit]

Template:Tourmaline group

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Infobox mineral
+[[File:Tourmaline achroïte 1(Pakistan).jpg|thumb]] [[File:Tourmaline-195614.jpg|thumb]] [[File:Tourmaline-Quartz-214670.jpg|thumb]] [[File:Turmalingruppe-Elbait-Verdelith - in Quarz aus Brasilien.JPG|thumb]] Elbaite
-| name = Elbaite
-| category = [[Tourmaline group]]
-| image = Elbaite-Quartz-169388.jpg
-| imagesize = 260px
-| caption = Elbaite on [[Quartz]]
-| formula = Na(Li<sub>1.5</sub>Al<sub>1.5</sub>)Al<sub>6</sub>(BO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub>Si<sub>6</sub>O<sub>18</sub>(OH)<sub>4</sub>
-| color = Multicolored, including pink, red, green, blue, and colorless
-| habit = Prismatic crystals, often striated
-| system = [[Trigonal crystal system|Trigonal]]
-| cleavage = Indistinct
-| fracture = Uneven to conchoidal
-| tenacity = Brittle
-| Mohs = 7–7.5
-| luster = Vitreous
-| streak = White
-| diaphaneity = Transparent to translucent
-| gravity = 3.0–3.1
-| opticalprop = Uniaxial (-)
-| birefringence = 0.014–0.021
-| pleochroism = Strong
-}}
-'''Elbaite''' is a [[sodium]] [[lithium]] [[aluminium]] [[borosilicate]] mineral belonging to the [[tourmaline]] group. It is one of the most colorful and well-known members of the tourmaline family, prized for its wide range of colors and its use as a gemstone. Elbaite is named after the island of [[Elba]], Italy, where it was first discovered.
+Elbaite is a mineral species belonging to the [[tourmaline]] group. It is a complex borosilicate mineral with a wide range of colors, which makes it highly valued as a gemstone. Elbaite is named after the island of Elba, Italy, where it was first discovered.
-== Crystal Structure and Composition ==
+== Chemical Composition ==
-Elbaite crystallizes in the [[trigonal crystal system]], forming prismatic crystals that are often vertically striated. The general chemical formula for elbaite is Na(Li<sub>1.5</sub>Al<sub>1.5</sub>)Al<sub>6</sub>(BO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub>Si<sub>6</sub>O<sub>18</sub>(OH)<sub>4</sub>. This formula highlights the presence of sodium (Na), lithium (Li), and aluminium (Al) as key components, along with boron (B), silicon (Si), and hydroxide (OH).
+Elbaite has the chemical formula Na(Li,Al)₃Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄. It is a sodium, lithium, and aluminum-rich member of the tourmaline group. The presence of various trace elements can cause a wide range of colors in elbaite, including green, pink, red, blue, and multicolored varieties.
+== Crystal Structure ==
+Elbaite crystallizes in the trigonal system, typically forming prismatic crystals with a triangular cross-section. The crystals are often vertically striated and can be quite large. The structure of elbaite is characterized by a complex arrangement of silicate tetrahedra, borate groups, and metal cations.
 == Physical Properties ==
-Elbaite exhibits a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the [[Mohs scale of mineral hardness|Mohs scale]], making it suitable for use in jewelry. It has a vitreous luster and a white streak. The mineral is brittle with an uneven to conchoidal fracture and indistinct cleavage.
+* '''Color:''' Elbaite can be found in a variety of colors, including green, pink, red, blue, and colorless. The color is often zoned, with different colors appearing in the same crystal.
+* '''Luster:''' Vitreous
+* '''Hardness:''' 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale
+* '''Specific Gravity:''' Approximately 3.0 to 3.2
+* '''Cleavage:''' Indistinct
+* '''Fracture:''' Conchoidal to uneven
-== Optical Properties ==
+== Occurrence ==
-Elbaite is uniaxial negative with strong pleochroism, meaning it can show different colors when viewed from different angles. This property, combined with its vibrant colors, makes it highly desirable for gemstone cutting.
+Elbaite is commonly found in [[pegmatite]]s, which are coarse-grained igneous rocks. It is often associated with other minerals such as [[quartz]], [[feldspar]], and [[lepidolite]]. Notable localities for elbaite include Brazil, Afghanistan, Madagascar, and the United States.
-== Color Variations ==
+== Uses ==
-Elbaite is renowned for its wide range of colors, which include:
+Elbaite is primarily used as a gemstone. Its wide range of colors and clarity make it a popular choice for jewelry. The most prized elbaite gemstones are those with vivid colors and high transparency.
-* '''Rubellite''': Pink to red
-* '''Indicolite''': Blue
-* '''Verdelite''': Green
-* '''Achroite''': Colorless
-* '''Watermelon tourmaline''': Pink center with a green outer layer
-The color variations are due to trace elements such as iron, manganese, and chromium.
+== Varieties ==
+Elbaite has several well-known varieties based on color:
-== Occurrence and Localities ==
+* '''Rubellite:''' Red to pink elbaite
-Elbaite is found in [[pegmatite]]s, which are coarse-grained igneous rocks. Notable localities include the island of Elba in Italy, Minas Gerais in Brazil, and the state of Maine in the United States.
+* '''Indicolite:''' Blue elbaite
+* '''Verdelite:''' Green elbaite
-== Uses ==
+* '''Watermelon Tourmaline:''' Elbaite with a pink center and green outer zone
-Elbaite is primarily used as a gemstone. Its vibrant colors and durability make it popular in rings, necklaces, and other forms of jewelry. It is also of interest to mineral collectors due to its aesthetic crystal forms.
 == Also see ==
@@ Line 53: / Line 34: @@
 * [[Pegmatite]]
 * [[Gemstone]]
-* [[Mohs scale of mineral hardness]]
+* [[Mineral]]
 {{Tourmaline group}}
@@ Line 59: / Line 40: @@
 [[Category:Tourmaline group]]
 [[Category:Gemstones]]
-[[Category:Minerals]]
+[[Category:Silicate minerals]]