Rubellite
Variety Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Also called Red tourmaline, Pink tourmaline, and Siberite
About it
Pink to red tourmaline coloured by manganese, the name often kept for stones that stay red in any light. Crystals are striated lengthwise; Brazil, Nigeria, Madagascar, and San Diego County, California, are sources.
- Type
- Variety
- Group
- Elbaite variety (tourmaline)
- Formula
- Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 7–7.5
- Specific gravity
- 3–3.26
- Streak
- white
- Lustre
- vitreous (glassy)
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Colours
- pink, red, purplish red
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
- Cleavage and fracture
- poor; uneven to conchoidal fracture
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.