Elbaíta Rubelita
Elbaíta is a mineral with formula Na(Li,Al)₃Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄, in the Silicatos group. This specimen comes from Laghman, Hindu Kush, Laghman, Afganistán and joined the Terrium collection in 2000.
Description
Hexagonal prismatic crystals with multiple parallel stepped growths, resembling a coral system. Pale pastel pink and translucent, with longitudinal striations. The reverse shows a superficial overgrowth of another mineral.
About Elbaíta
Elbaite is a complex borosilicate of lithium, sodium and aluminium belonging to the tourmaline group. It forms elongate prisms with longitudinal striations and exhibits a wide range of colours; pink hues are commonly associated with manganese and are characteristic of Afghan pegmatites.
About the locality
Laghman is a classic pegmatite district in the Hindu Kush, known for pink tourmalines with multiple growth and soft tones.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0351
- Composition
- Na(Li,Al)₃Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄
- Name
- Elbaíta
- Variety
- Rubelita
- Group
- Silicatos
- Category
- Estélites
- District / Municipality
- Laghman
- Province
- Hindu Kush
- Region
- Laghman
- Country
- Afganistán
- Size (cm)
- 4.8 x 0.9 x 0.8
- Weight
- 8.3 g
- Acquired
- 2000
- Ex-collection
- Diego Navarro
- Etymology
- From the German toponym Elba, after the island of Elba (Italy), where elbaite was identified as a species. It belongs to the tourmaline group, whose name derives from the Sinhalese "turmali", a term historically used for multicoloured crystals. The variety rubellite is elbaite with manganese.
- Quality
- Muy buena
- Value trend
- Al alza