PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- GROUP Silicates - cyclosilicates
- COMPOSITION Na(Mg,Fe,Li,Mn,Al)3Al6(BO3 )3Si6·018(OH,F)4
- COLOR Black, green, brown, red, blue, yellow or pink
- CRYSTALLINE SYSTEM Hexagonal / trigonal
- CRYSTALLINE HABIT Prismatic, acicular
- HARDNESS 7 - 7.5
- FRACTURE Unequal to conchoidal
- EXFOLIATION Null
- GLOSS Vitreous
- STRIP Colorless
- TRANSPARENCY From transparent to translucent
- SPECIFIC GRAVITY 3.0 - 3.2
- REFRACTIVE INDEX 1.61 - 1.64
MINERALOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The red tourmaline or rubellite is a variety of tourmaline with reddish-pink tones. It belongs to the elbaite family, which are gem quality chromatic tourmalines. Within this family are also the pink, blue and green varieties. Colored tourmalines are characterized by their dichroism and are usually scarce and highly valued in jewelry making.
The tourmalines are borosilicates that are characterized by having a variable composition between them although they have the same crystalline structure. Its crystals are usually prismatic and it is found in pegmatites, in granites, in hydrothermal veins and in pneumatolithic veins.
Deposits: Brazil, India, Afghanistan, United States, Canada, Mexico, Namibia, Russia, Africa and Madagascar.
THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES
The red tourmaline or rubellite is associated with the 1st and 4th chakras. It is a stone of healing and revitalization of the heart. It helps to regenerate and balance the body at an energetic level. Treats the reproductive system, strengthens the ability to understand love and enhances sexual activity.
In general the tourmaline is considered a stone of cleaning, protection and transformation. It is said that the strength of tourmaline is due to the shape of its parallel grooves, which transform dense energies and increase vibration.
