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Dominant species
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Elbaite
Elbaite
Chemical
Formula
Na(LiAl)3Al6Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)4
Species
Silicates
Crystal
System
Trigonal
Mohs
Scale
7
Specific
Gravity
3.069
Color
Green, red to pink, blue, orange, yellow, colorless, multicolored
Streak
White
Luster
Vitreous, Resinous
Refractive
Index
n = 1.633 - 1.651 n = 1.615 - 1.630
Diaphaneity
Transparent, Translucent
Cleavage
Poor/Indistincton and
Fracture
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Crystal Habit:Prismatic; striated
Geological Setting:Lithium-rich granitic pegmatites, metamorphic rocks and high temperature hydrothermal veins.
Elbaite, a sodium, lithium, aluminium boro-silicate, is a mineral species belonging to the tourmaline group. Elbaite forms three series, with dravite, with liddicoatite, and with schorl. Due to these series, specimens with the ideal end-member formula are not found occurring naturally.

As a gemstone, elbaite is a desirable member of the tourmaline group because of the variety and depth of its colours and quality of the crystals. Originally discovered on the island of Elba, Italy in 1913, it has since been found in many parts of the world. In 1994, a major locality was discovered in Canada, at O'Grady Lakes in the Yukon.

Elbaite forms in igneous and metamorphic rocks and veins in association with lepidolite, microcline, and spodumene in granite pegmatites; with andalusite and biotite in schist; and with molybdenite and cassiterite in massive hydrothermal replacement deposits.