Elbaite
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Iifar" title="User:Iifar">Ivar Leidus</a> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameElbaite
Chemical FormulaNa(Li,Al)3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)4
Mohs Hardness7
Crystal Systemtrigonal
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageindistinct
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity3
Colorsgreen, dark green
Transparencytranslucent
Type LocalitySão José da Safira, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Mineral GroupSilicates
Usesjewelry, collector
Associated Mineralsalbite
Rarityuncommon
Description
A deep green, slightly translucent, terminated elbaite crystal showing prominent vertical striations, associated with a white albite crystal.
Geological Context
Elbaite is a member of the tourmaline group, typically found in granite pegmatites and hydrothermal veins, often forming in the late stages of magmatic crystallization.
