Of all the mineral groups collectors enjoy, the tourmaline group includes the nicest variety of colorful gem crystal specimens. It also happens to be among the most chemically complex gem species. As an example, uvite, which is not often viewed as colorful, is made up of ten different elements that repeat, which means, a single molecule of uvite is comprised of almost 60 atoms.
White albite is an excellent contrasting matrix for these black schorl crystals from Stak Nala, Pakistan
UNIQUE MINERAL
Many collectors are particularly attracted to elbaite, the most colorful and popular of the tourmalines. The chemistry of elbaite is also quite complex. One scientist even referred to it as a “garbage can” mineral because it seems to take in any stray elements available within the solution it develops. Tourmaline’s ability to accept trace elements accounts for it acting as chromophores, giving elbaite its variety of colors. Other members of the tourmaline group proceed similarly and are found mainly in pegmatite deposits.
Leggete l'articolo completo e molti altri in questo numero di
Rock&Gem Magazine
Opzioni di acquisto di seguito
Se il problema è vostro,
Accesso per leggere subito l'articolo completo.
Singolo numero digitale
Oct 2020
Questo numero e altri numeri arretrati non sono inclusi in un nuovo
abbonamento. Gli abbonamenti comprendono l'ultimo numero regolare e i nuovi numeri pubblicati durante l'abbonamento. Rock&Gem Magazine
Abbonamento digitale annuale
€33,99
fatturati annualmente
Abbonamento digitale di 6 mesi
€18,99
fatturati due volte l'anno
Abbonamento digitale mensile
€5,99
fatturati mensilmente