Appearance
It is typically pink, reddish-pink, green, or blue-green in color, and it is transparent to translucent with a vitreous luster. With a refractive index of 1.615-1.651, a specific gravity of 2.9-3.2, no cleavage, and a substantial Mohs hardness of 7.0-7.5. Elbaite is mainly found in granite pegmatites that are rich in lithium. Elbaite is most commonly associated with green and red tones, but it can also be blue, purple, yellow, or colorless.
Geographical Distribution
Elbaite is a somewhat common plant that is of outstanding quality at its original place and in many other localities, including the United States, Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
History
Elbaite is a highly desired gemstone from the tourmaline family due to the richness and diversity of its colors as well as the high caliber of its crystals. It was first discovered in 1913 on the Italian island of Elba, and since then, it has been found all over the world. A significant location was found in Canada in 1994 at O’Grady Lakes in the Yukon.
Metaphysical Properties
Green elbaite is said to encourage compassion and emotional healing as well as aid in connecting with the Earth. Pink elbaite, on the other hand, is believed by modern metaphysical practitioners to eliminate fear and negativity, soothe the nerves, bring inspiration, and dispels grief.
Chemical Composition
Elbaite is a mineral species that belongs to the six-member ring cyclosilicate tourmaline group. It is a sodium, lithium, and aluminum boro-silicate with the chemical composition Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)4.
Types
Achroite variant, which is “colorless,”
Rubellite variety: scarlet or pinkish-red (from ruby)
Brazilian indicolite variety: light blue to bluish green (from indigo)
Verde: A type of Brazilian verdelite derived from emerald
As seen in cross-sectional prism slices, watermelon tourmaline is a zoned type with a ruby center encircled by a green outer zone that resembles watermelon rind. It frequently has curved sides.
Uses
Elbaite is a well-liked gemstone and collector’s mineral due to its uncommon beauty. Elbaite is cut in a variety of forms and patterns and is utilized in jewelry in all of its colors (colorless, blue, green, and pink). It is one of the most valuable minerals in the world as a collector’s item.
Because it is used to make glass, enamel, and ceramics, albite is an important industrial mineral. When it is clear or translucent, it is also employed as a gemstone and as a source of sodium for the chemical industry.
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