ClassicGems.net

Rubellite (variety of Elbaite / Tourmaline)

Discovered in 1913 (Elbaite);   IMA status: Valid (Elbaite) (pre-IMA; Grandfathered).

Chemistry

Chemical Formula:

Na(Al;Li)₃Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄

Sodium Lithium Aluminum Boro-Silicate Hydroxide

Molecular Weight:

916.68 gm

Classification

Mineral Classification:

Silicates

Strunz 8th Ed. ID:

8/E.19-10

8 : Silicates
E : Cyclosilicates, triplet rings [Si3O9]6-
19 : Tourmaline group

Crystal Data

Crystallography:

Trigonal - Ditrigonal Pyramidal

Crystal Habit:

Crystals prismatic to acicular, with prominent trigonal prism and pyramid, to 1.6 m, commonly hemimorphic. Also radial, fibrous, and massive.

Twinning:

Rare

Physical Properties

Cleavage:

[1120] & [1011] Poor, Indistinct

Fracture:

Uneven to Conchoidal

Tenacity:

Brittle

Moh's Hardness:

7.0 - 7.5

Density:

3.06 - 3.08 (g/cm³)

Luminescence:

Weak

Radioactivity:

Not Radioactive

Other:

Piezoelectric, pyroelectric

Optical Properties

Color:

Red, Reddish Pink, Pink

Transparency:

Transparent to Translucent

Luster:

Vitreous to Resinous

Refractive Index:

1.623 - 1.657  Uniaxial ( - )

Birefringence:

0.031

Dispersion:

0.017

Pleochroism:

Dark pinkish red to pink

Occurances

Geological Setting:

In granites, granite pegmatites, and some metamorphic rocks; in high-temperature hydrothermal veins; detrital in sediments.

Type Locality:

(Elbaite) Fonte del Prete, San Piero in Campo, Campo nell'Elba, Elba Island, Livorno Province, Tuscany, Italy

Year Discovered:

1913 (Elbaite)

View mineral photos:

Rubellite Mineral Photos and Locations

More Information

Mindat.org  (Rubellite)
Mindat.org  (Elbaite)
Webmineral.com  (Elbaite)

Rubellite is the rare pink to red variety of Tourmaline. It is a gemmy, Lithium rich, Iron and Manganese free, variety of Tourmaline. It is primarily, but not always, Elbaite. Rubellite is one of the most popular and sought after colors of Tourmaline and is great for setting in jewelry. It has relatively no cleavage and decent hardness so it is durable. Rubellite is available in a wide range of colors from pink to red.

Rubellite gets its name from the Latin word rubellus meaning reddish. or ruber meaning red. The name Tourmaline is from the Singhalese word tourmali, meaning mixed colored stones because Tourmalines were often confused with other gems, especially Zircon gems.

Tourmaline is the name given to a family of related minerals, all having the same basic crystal structure but varying widely in chemical composition. Tourmaline comes in all colors including colorless (Achroite) and black (Schorl) with many names given to the many other colors. Piezoelectric and pyroelectric effects are present in Tourmaline.

Rubellite gems for sale: