PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- GROUP Silicates - cyclosilicates
- COMPOSITION Na(Mg,Fe,Li,Mn,Al)3Al6(BO3 )3If6 · 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 green tourmaline is a variety of tourmaline with greenish tones. It belongs to the elbaite family, which are gem quality chromatic tourmalines. Within this family are also the pink, red and blue varieties. Colored tourmalines are characterized by their dichroism and are usually scarce and 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 green tourmaline is considered a stone of healing and transformation. It is said to be a great activator, promoting openness of the heart and prosperity. It is used to relax, to calm the mind, to promote sleep and to strengthen the immune system. It is also often used to improve plant health and growth.
In general, all tourmalines perform the function of cleaning and protection. Whatever the ailment of the physical body, tourmaline helps to regenerate and balance it at an energetic level. It is said that the strength of tourmaline is due to the shape of its parallel grooves, which transform dense energies and increase vibration.
