Tourmaline is the most colorful of all gemstones. It occurs in all colors, but pink, red, green, blue and multicolored are its most well-known gem colors. Scientifically, tourmaline is not a single mineral, but a group of minerals related in their physical and chemical properties. The mineral Elbaite is the member of the Tourmaline group that is responsible for almost all the gem varieties. Three other members of the group – Schorl, Dravite and Liddicoatite, are seldom used as gemstones.
- Chemical FormulaX1Y3Al6(BO3)3Si6O18(OH)4 where X: Na, Ca Y : Mg, Li, Al, and/or Fe2+
- ColorWhite, Colorless, Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Pink, Purple, Gray, Black, Multicolored
- Hardness7.0 - 7.5
- Mineral ClassTourmaline