Turning to the “Other” Tourmaline Crystals
Rock&Gem Magazine|October 2020
COMPLEX, PLENTIFUL, AND AFFORDABLE
- BOB JONES
Turning to the “Other” Tourmaline Crystals

Of all the mineral groups collectors enjoy, the tourmaline group includes the nicest variety of colorful gem crystal specimens. It also happens to be among the most chemically complex gem species. As an example, uvite, which is not often viewed as colorful, is made up of ten different elements that repeat, which means, a single molecule of uvite is comprised of almost 60 atoms.

Many collectors are particularly attracted to elbaite, the most colorful and popular of the tourmalines. The chemistry of elbaite is also quite complex. One scientist even referred to it as a “garbage can” mineral because it seems to take in any stray elements available within the solution it develops. Tourmaline’s ability to accept trace elements accounts for it acting as chromophores, giving elbaite its variety of colors. Other members of the tourmaline group proceed similarly and are found mainly in pegmatite deposits.

Pegmatite deposits form in the final stages of a deep-seated granitic mass called a batholith, where different elements tend to accumulate. As a batholithcools over millions and millions of years, molecules of like minerals develop, while basic quartz, feldspar, and mica form a matrix. As this happens, the more volatile elements that crystallize at much lower temperatures, including fluorine, boron, beryllium, lithium, uranium, and others, remain longer in solution or as part of the vapor and hydrothermal components under extreme pressure. Such residual fluids can thrust into rock openings forming veins, sheets, or dikes and cool slowly allowing larger than standard crystals of feldspar and quartz to form in an interlocking system called graphic granite.

この蚘事は Rock&Gem Magazine の October 2020 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

この蚘事は Rock&Gem Magazine の October 2020 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

ROCK&GEM MAGAZINEのその他の蚘事すべお衚瀺
Rockhounding Ohio's Lake Erie Islands
Rock&Gem Magazine

Rockhounding Ohio's Lake Erie Islands

A short ferry boat ride three miles from Ohio’s Lake Erie coastline is South Bass Island, better known as Put-in-Bay or the “Key West of the North.”

time-read
4 分  |
Rockhound Roadtrip 2024
Iowa's Hidden Treasures
Rock&Gem Magazine

Iowa's Hidden Treasures

Exploring Keokuk Geodes: How They're Made & What's Inside

time-read
5 分  |
Rockhound Roadtrip 2024
Agatized CORAL
Rock&Gem Magazine

Agatized CORAL

Florida's Collectible State Stone

time-read
3 分  |
Rockhound Roadtrip 2024
Rockhounding Florida's Beaches
Rock&Gem Magazine

Rockhounding Florida's Beaches

Beachcombing serene stretches of Florida can reveal fascinating finds like fossilized shark teeth, sea glass, quartz, agate and even coral fragments.

time-read
6 分  |
Rockhound Roadtrip 2024
Collecting Staurolite
Rock&Gem Magazine

Collecting Staurolite

Hot Spots In Virginia & Georgia

time-read
3 分  |
Rockhound Roadtrip 2024
Pecos Valley Diamonds
Rock&Gem Magazine

Pecos Valley Diamonds

New Mexico's Ancient Attraction

time-read
4 分  |
Rockhound Roadtrip 2024
12 Tips for Rockhounding Tucson's Greatest Shows
Rock&Gem Magazine

12 Tips for Rockhounding Tucson's Greatest Shows

Tucson in February becomes the international hub for buying and selling colored gems, rocks, minerals and fossils.

time-read
4 分  |
Rockhound Roadtrip 2024
Turquoise in the American Southwest
Rock&Gem Magazine

Turquoise in the American Southwest

A Water & Sky Souvenir

time-read
4 分  |
Rockhound Roadtrip 2024
Touring Colorado's MINERAL BELT
Rock&Gem Magazine

Touring Colorado's MINERAL BELT

It's a Showcase of Mining History & Minerals

time-read
6 分  |
Rockhound Roadtrip 2024
Geology &Colorado's Taurish Traiks
Rock&Gem Magazine

Geology &Colorado's Taurish Traiks

Most of Colorado’s tourist trains today were originally constructed in the late 1800s to serve the state’s lucrative mining operations.

time-read
4 分  |
Rockhound Roadtrip 2024