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Tourmaline
Tourmaline - Mineral Properties and Uses |
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Uses |
Tourmaline uses include: gemstone. |
Color |
bluish black, black, yellow, pink, blue, green, colorless, red |
Streak |
colorless, gray |
Luster |
vitreous |
Diaphaneity |
transparent to nearly opaque |
Cleavage |
poor |
Hardness |
7 - 7.5 |
Specific Gravity |
3.0 - 3.3 |
Distinguishing
Characteristics |
lack of cleavage, color |
Crystal System |
hexagonal |
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Tourmaline in granite from Stoneham, Maine.
Specimen is approximately 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) across.
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A close-up of tourmaline from Pierrepont, New York.
The overall specimen is approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) across.
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Tourmaline from Pierrepont, New York.
Specimen is approximately 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) across.
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Tourmaline in microcline from Bathurst, Ontario, Canada.
Specimen is approximately 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) across.
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The variety in tourmaliine color is shown with this strand of beads.
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Numerous cabochons of tourmaline from Africa.
Each gem is approximately 6 millimeters by
4 millimeters.
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A cut piece of tourmaline.
The gemstone is approximately 1.8 carats, and 9 millimeters by 7 millimeters.
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A teardrop cabochon of tourmaline from San Diego, California.
The gemstone is approximately 1.4 carats, and 9 millimeters by 5 millimeters.
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More Information About Minerals!
Mineral photographs that appear on this page with a Geology.com copyright mark are property of Geology.com and may not be used beyond our website. If you like these photos and would like to share them with others please link to this page or email its URL. The photos were taken and composed by Ann Bryant.
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