Tourmaline Group

Refractive Index : 1.644 – 1.624 + 0.134 – 0.021
Optical Characteristic : DR U-
Specific Gravity : 3.06 + 0.20 – 0.06
Formula : Na(Li,AI)3AI6(BO3)3Si6018(OH)4
Crystal System : Trigonal
Variety/Species : All
Species/Group : Tourmaline Group
Birefringence : 0.018 to 0.040
Dispersion : 0.017
Hardness : 7 to 7.5
Toughness : Fair
Ultrasonic : Risky
Steam : Risky
UV Long : Inert to weak
UV Short : Inert to moderate
Pleochroism : 2 colors
Strength : Weak to strong

Pleochroism Colors : Press the
Heat : May fracture or change color
Acids : No reaction
Light : Stable
Polish Luster : Vitreous
Fracture : Conchoidal
Fracture Luster : Vitreous
Clarity Type : I to III
Tones : 2-8
Saturations : 1-5
Cause of Color : Varies:See variety
Enhancements : Heating, Irradiation, acid treatment
Cleavage : None
Color Range : Almost any color is possible.
Transparency : Transparent to Opaque
Phenomena : Color change, (rare), aventurescence, Chatoyancy

Separations : Tourmaline Group from-

Topaz : birefringence, optic character, SG, cleavage, spectrum(possibly)

Andalusite : birefrigence, optic character, pleochrosim, SG

Peridot : RI, SG, birefringence, optic character, pleochrosim, spectrum

Iolite : RI, SG, optic character, pleochroism

Identifying Characteristics and information

Thread-like liqiud and gas inclusions,gas filled fractures.
Birefringence is usually 0.018 – 0.020 but in dark stones it may be as high as 0.040.

Spectral Data
Not diagnostic. Weak spectra usually observed
Trade Names and Misnomers

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