Tourmaline

in #minerals6 years ago (edited)
One of the specimens in my mineral collection consists of two tourmaline crystals on a matrix of white calcite.

Tourmaline.jpg
~photo by me~

The long crystal on top looks indigo blue in natural lighting, but it is, indeed, green if one shines a very bright light through it. To do this, I used the LED light in my cellphone, turned the specimen upside-down to put the larger crystal closer to the light, and was able to obtain the following photo:

Tourmaline-Green.jpg
~photo by me~

Tourmaline is described as a boron silicate mineral because it typically contains (BO3)3, but a large variety of other elements combine in various ways to comprise any given tourmaline crystal. This makes tourmaline one of the most complex of all the mineral varieties. To illustrate the complexity of this mineral, here is the chemical formula:

3 6 (6O18) (BO3)3 3

where:

  • can be calcium, sodium, potassium, or (□) vacant
  • can be lithium, magnesium, iron2+, iron3+, manganese2+, zinc, aluminum, chromium3+, vanadium3+, titanium4+, or (□) vacant
  • can be magnesium, aluminum, iron3+, chromium3+, vanadium3+
  • can be silicon, aluminum, or boron
  • can be a hydroxide ion, or oxygen
  • can be a hydroxide ion, fluorine, or oxygen

Complicated.png 😱

I can't even begin to fathom how many permutations of the above formula are possible, but it is a rather large amount. However, there are 33 common and significant variations recognized by the International Mineralogical Association, listed in the Wikipedia article in the sources at the end of this post.

Different permuations can yield crystals of different colors, and some of those permutations are common-enough to have names of their own. For example, a tourmaline crystal that has the chemical permutation NaMg3Al6Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)3OH is typically brown in color and is called "Dravite," whereas a tourmaline crystal that is composed of □(LiAl2)Al6Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)3OH [where '□' indicates a vacancy in the 'X' position] is pink to light-tan in color and is called "Rossmanite." The most common tourmaline is the one called "Schorl" with a chemical formula NaFe2+3Al6Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)3OH that makes it black in color.

Much more information plus beautiful photos of different varieties of tourmaline can be found at the links below, epecially the Minerals.net website! 💎


SOURCES
   2 Wikipedia: "Tourmaline"
   1 Minerals.net: "The Gemstone Tourmaline"
   2 Geology.com: Tourmaline: Earth’s most colorful mineral and gemstone


SeeOtherPosts--Crystals.png

Sort:  

These are beautiful photos of tourmaline.
it just reminded me of when I was in college. I was given an assignment to pick different kinds of rocks.

You did some great research here too though, well done!

I like the structure how they come out, forming a cooler looking joining. I eventually want to build a collection of gems/minerals.

Some people collect comic books but you collect minerals which is fascinating. I should have paid more attention in chemistry back then. Can they be made into jewelry?

Yes, tourmaline is sometimes cut into gemstones for rings, necklaces, and earrings!

pixresteemer_incognito_angel_mini.png
Congratz, your post has been resteemed and, who knows, will maybe appear in the next edition of the #dailyspotlights (Click on my face if you want to know more about me...)
Check the rules of the Daily Spotlights if you want to nominate someone!

Wow very good I follow you follow me back thanks in advance

This is called spamming. It's not right

whoa these are gorgeous, first time I've seen it ✨

Wow... this is pretty interesting! Thanks for sharing!

What chakra(s) is this most beneficial for?

@dynamicgreentk ~ Personally, I pair stones to chakras by color. So, a blue tourmaline would align with the energies of the throat chakra, green with the heart chakra, and so forth. Black stones/crystals are good for repeling negativity, or could possibly align with the either the base or root chakras.

Oooohhhh.... I am frantically preparing for vacation. Among other things, we will be stopping in Arkansas to freshen our supply of crystals. I DO love rocks, and that little cluster is GORGEOUS!

Some of my crystals have been purchased on the Internet from ArkansasCrystalWorks, which is near Ft. Smith, Arkansas! It is run by a really cool lady who digs most of the crystals she sells! When you freshen your supply, please consider photographing them and tag me!

Interesting mineral facts :) does tourmaline consider as rare stone?

@kimzwarch ~ Tourmaline is considered one of the "semi-precious" stones. Not as highly valued as diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, but in the same category as topaz, turquoise, lapis lazuli, and others!

I see, interesting to learn more about these stones :) Thanks for the info.

Coin Marketplace

STEEM 0.17
TRX 0.15
JST 0.027
BTC 60678.52
ETH 2339.38
USDT 1.00
SBD 2.48