Provenite

About Elbaite

Na(Li₁.₅Al₁.₅)Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)

Lithium-bearing member of the tourmaline group, forming a series with liddicoatite, dravite and schorl. Pyroelectric and piezoelectric, and the source of many gem tourmaline colors.

Show 7 localities on the map

Photos of Elbaite

Doubly terminated green elbaite crystal labelled Golconda pegmatite, Governador Valadares.
Elbaite · Golconda pegmatite
Doubly terminated green elbaite crystal labelled Golconda pegmatite, Governador Valadares.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Watermelon-zoned elbaite crystal labelled Alto Ligonha pegmatites, Mozambique.
Elbaite · Alto Ligonha pegmatites
Watermelon-zoned elbaite crystal labelled Alto Ligonha pegmatites, Mozambique.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Five red rubellite crystals on cleavelandite, labelled Jonas Mine, Conselheiro Pena.
Elbaite · Jonas Mine
Five red rubellite crystals on cleavelandite, labelled Jonas Mine, Conselheiro Pena.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Zoned elbaite crystal on cleavelandite, labelled Stak Nala, Haramosh Mountains.
Elbaite · Stak Nala
Zoned elbaite crystal on cleavelandite, labelled Stak Nala, Haramosh Mountains.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Pink to colorless splayed elbaite crystal group, about 10 cm, labelled Himalaya Mine, Mesa Grande.
Elbaite · Himalaya Mine
Pink to colorless splayed elbaite crystal group, about 10 cm, labelled Himalaya Mine, Mesa Grande.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Spray of green elbaite crystals with albite labelled Campos Verdes emerald mines, Goias.
Elbaite · Campos Verdes emerald mines
Spray of green elbaite crystals with albite labelled Campos Verdes emerald mines, Goias.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Blue indicolite elbaite crystal with manganocolumbite, labelled Tourmaline Queen Mine, Pala.
Elbaite · Tourmaline Queen Mine
Blue indicolite elbaite crystal with manganocolumbite, labelled Tourmaline Queen Mine, Pala.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

Where Elbaite is found (7)

Brazil

Mozambique

Pakistan

United States

Elbaite on the same specimen with other minerals

Same specimen Beryl with Elbaite at Tourmaline Queen Mine

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show elbaite with beryl together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Identity

Group
Tourmaline Group
Strunz
9.CK.05 · 9 Silicates
IMA status
Grandfathered
Name origin
Named after the island of Elba, Italy.
Elements
Na, Li, Al, Si, B, O, H

Physical properties

Color
Green, blue-green, blue, pink to red, orange, yellow or colorless; often zoned
Streak
White
Luster
Vitreous luster
Transparency
Variable
Mohs hardness
7.5
Density
2.9–3.1 g/cm³
Cleavage / fracture
Cleavage poor and indistinct; fracture irregular to conchoidal; brittle

Crystallography

Crystal system
Trigonal
Space group
R3m
Typical habit
Prismatic to acicular
Twinning
Rare
Optical data
Uniaxial (-); omega 1.633-1.651, epsilon 1.615-1.630; birefringence 0.018-0.021; pleochroic

Formation and use

Formation
Mainly in lithium-rich granitic pegmatites; also reported in metamorphic rocks and high-temperature hydrothermal veins.
Uses
Gemstone.

Related minerals

Related minerals
Liddicoatitedraviteschorlfluor-elbaite

Sources

  1. SRC-252 · Database
    Elbaite (mineral entry)Mindat.org · Hudson Institute of Mineralogy

Draft data from the Provenite workbook. Check entries against the cited sources before relying on them. Photos are open-licence images from Wikimedia Commons; the author and licence are given with each photo.