Elbaite is an incredibly captivating gem that can present itself in almost any color of the rainbow. Its clarity and consistency make it one of the most desirable minerals for collectors. Demand for this darling gem has skyrocketed, with some varieties costing upwards of $15,000 USD per carat!
Hardness:
7.5
Density:
3.069 g/cm³
On This Page
Properties
Values
Market Price
How to Care
Real vs Fake
Characteristics
Cultural
Common Questions
General Info About Elbaite
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Physical Properties of Elbaite
Luster
Vitreous, Resinous
Diaphaneity
Transparent to translucent
Colors
Green, red to pink, blue, orange, yellow, colourless
Magnetism
Non-magnetic
Tenacity
Brittle
Cleavage
Indistinct
Fracture
Conchoidal, Uneven
Streak
White
Crystal System
Trigonal
Hardness
7.5 , Extremely hard
Density
3.069 g/cm³, Normal Weight
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Chemical Properties of Elbaite
Chemical Classification
Silicates
Formula
Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Elements listed
Al, B, H, Li, Na, O, Si
Common Impurities
Fe, Mn, Cu, Ti, Ca, F
Optical Properties of Elbaite
Refractive Index
1.614-1.666
Birefringence
0.014-0.032
Pleochroism
Strong
Dispersion
0.017
Optical Character
Uniaxial negative
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Rarity
Uncommon
Collection Recommendation
4.2 out of 5
Popularity
4.0
Aesthetic
4.2
Rarity
4.0
Sci-Cultural Value
3.8
The Market Price of Elbaite
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Rough/Tumbled Price
Smaller Than Hand (0-1.5in)
$2 - $20
Close Hand (1.5-3in)
$20 - $40
Equal To Hand (3-6in)
$40 - $60
Bigger Than Hand (>6in)
$60
Cluster/Geode Price
Fixed Price
$20 - $80 piece
Gemstone Price
Green, Pink, Blue:
$20 ~ $150 /ct
Extremely high quality:
$500 /ct
How to Care for Elbaite?
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Durability
Durable
Scratch resistance
Good
Toughness of Elbaite
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
Elbaite's fair toughness is attributed to its indistinct cleavage planes and internal structure, making it more prone to chipping or cracking upon impact during regular use.
Stability of Elbaite
Sensitive
Stable
Elbaite demonstrates resilience under most everyday conditions but should be protected from extreme heat and harsh chemicals to maintain its quality over time.
More Care Tips of Elbaite
Real vs Fake Elbaite
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6 Ways to Tell if elbaite is Real
Fake Alert Level:
Caution Needed
Materials like Glass, Dyed Quartzite, Cubic Zirconia, Crackle Quartz, plastic, and synthetic spinel are often used to imitate elbaite. It is recommended to buy from reputable retailers and preferably request a certificate from a gem testing laboratory. Here are some handy tips to help you initially discern the authenticity of elbaite.
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Rock Types of Elbaite
Colorless: achroite variety (from the Greek "άχρωμος" meaning "colorless")
Red or pinkish-red: rubellite variety (from ruby)
Light blue to bluish green: Brazilian indicolite variety (from indigo)
Green: Brazilian verdelite variety (from emerald)
Watermelon tourmaline is a zoned variety with a reddish center surrounded by a green outer zone resembling watermelon rind, evident in cross section slices of prisms, often displaying curved sides.
Formation of Elbaite
Elbaite forms in igneous and metamorphic rocks and veins in association with lepidolite, microcline, and spodumene in granite pegmatites; with andalusite and biotite in schist; and with molybdenite and cassiterite in massive hydrothermal replacement deposits.
Cultural Significance of Elbaite
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Uses of Elbaite
The rare beauty of elbaite makes it a popular gemstone and collector’s mineral. All the colors (colorless, blue, green, and pink) of elbaite are used in jewelry and are cut in all forms and styles. As a collector’s mineral, it is one of the most prized minerals in the world.
The Meaning of Elbaite
As the most common member of the tourmaline family, elbaite has different meanings across cultures. In England, it was thought to be a boost to creatives making art, architecture, and plays. In Africa, it was used to awaken those under the "dream of illusion." Modern-day Native Americans keep chunks of the crystal to protect against all evils. Elbaite has even been referenced as the philosopher's stone due to its high variety of effects.
Distribution of Elbaite
As a gemstone, elbaite is a desirable member of the tourmaline group because of the variety and depth of its colours and quality of the crystals. Originally discovered on the island of Elba, Italy in 1913, it has since been found in many parts of the world. In 1994, a major locality was discovered in Canada, at O'Grady Lakes in the Yukon.
Common Questions People Also Ask
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