Green, red to pink, blue, orange, yellow, colorless, multicolored
Crystal habit
Prismatic; striated
Cleavage
Poor/indistinct on {1120} and {1011}
Fracture
Sub-conchoidal
Mohs scale hardness
7+1⁄2
Luster
Vitreous
Streak
White
Diaphaneity
Transparent to opaque
Density
2.9–3.2
Optical properties
Uniaxial (−); moderate relief
Refractive index
nω = 1.635–1.650, nε = 1.615–1.632
Birefringence
δ = 0.020
Other characteristics
piezoelectric and pyroelectric
References
[2][3]
Major varieties
Achroite
colorless
Indicolite
blue
Rubellite
red to pink
Verdelite
green
Elbaite, a sodium, lithium, aluminium boro-silicate, with the chemical composition Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)4,[4] is a mineral species belonging to the six-member ring cyclosilicate tourmaline group.
Elbaite forms three series, with dravite, with fluor-liddicoatite, and with schorl. Due to these series, specimens with the ideal endmember formula are not found occurring naturally.
As a gemstone, elbaite is a desirable member of the tourmaline group because of the variety and depth of its colours and quality of the crystals. Originally discovered on the island of Elba, Italy in 1913, it has since been found in many parts of the world. In 1994, a major locality was discovered in Canada, at O'Grady Lakes in the Yukon.
Elbaite forms in igneous and metamorphic rocks and veins in association with lepidolite, microcline, and spodumene in granite pegmatites; with andalusite and biotite in schist; and with molybdenite and cassiterite in massive hydrothermal replacement deposits.
Elbaite is allochromatic, meaning trace amounts of impurities can tint crystals, and it can be strongly pleochroic. Every color of the rainbow may be represented by elbaite, some exhibiting multicolor zonation. Microscopic acicular inclusions in some elbaite crystals show the cat's eye effect in polished cabochons.
Elbaite, a sodium, lithium, aluminium boro-silicate, with the chemical composition Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)4, is a mineral species belonging...
the Drave district of Carinthia) Dark yellow to brownish-black—dravite Elbaite species (named after the island of Elba, Italy) Red or pinkish-red—rubellite...
Rubellite is the red or pink variety of tourmaline and is a member of elbaite. Rubellite is also the rarest gem in its family. It is occasionally mistaken...
healing powers. A gemstone that has been rising in popularity is Cuprian Elbaite Tourmaline which is also called "Paraiba Tourmaline". It was first discovered...
pearls. It has a total of 19 sapphires, 44 spinels, 30 emeralds and 1 red elbaite (variety rubellite), often falsely referred to as ruby. The crown has two...
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