How to identify Pink Tourmaline in Quartz

To correctly identify Pink Tourmaline in Quartz (Elbaite (Tourmaline Group) in Quartz), check each of these features in order. Many rocks and minerals look alike, so cross-reference multiple properties before deciding.

Step-by-step identification

1. 1

   Color

   Overall color and any zoning or banding

   Pink Tourmaline (Elbaite) is typically pink, ranging from pale rose to deep magenta. The quartz matrix is usually colorless, white, or smoky.

2. 2

   Luster

   How the surface reflects light: metallic, vitreous, dull

   Tourmaline exhibits a vitreous to resinous luster. Quartz has a vitreous luster.

3. 3

   Texture

   Grain size and surface feel: coarse, fine, glassy

   The texture will be a combination of the smooth, often striated surfaces of tourmaline crystals and the glassy, sometimes conchoidal fracture surfaces of quartz.

4. 4

   Crystal Form

   Shape of visible crystals or crystal faces

   Elbaite typically forms prismatic, often elongated crystals with characteristic rounded triangular cross-sections and vertical striations on prism faces. Quartz forms hexagonal prisms terminating in pyramids, or can be massive.

5. 5

   Cleavage

   How it breaks: flat cleavage planes vs irregular fracture

   Tourmaline has very poor to indistinct cleavage, often appearing as a conchoidal fracture. Quartz has no cleavage, exhibiting conchoidal fracture.

6. 6

   Geological Environment

   The rock formation and setting where it occurs

   Look for specimens in granitic pegmatites, especially those associated with lithium-rich mineral assemblages.

Key Facts

Hardness

Tourmaline: 7-7.5 on Mohs scale. Quartz: 7 on Mohs scale.

Specific Gravity

Tourmaline (Elbaite): 3.02-3.26. Quartz: 2.65.

Crystal System

Tourmaline: Trigonal. Quartz: Trigonal.

Color

Pink (tourmaline), colorless/white/smoky (quartz).

Luster

Vitreous to resinous (tourmaline), vitreous (quartz).

Transparency

Transparent to translucent (tourmaline), transparent to opaque (quartz).

Fracture

Conchoidal to uneven (tourmaline), conchoidal (quartz).

Cleavage

Tourmaline: Very poor to indistinct. Quartz: None.

Composition

Elbaite: Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH). Quartz: SiO2.

Physical characteristics

• Crystal Habit: Elbaite: Prismatic, often elongated, with characteristic rounded triangular cross-section and vertical striations. Quartz: Prismatic, often hexagonal, terminating in pyramids, or massive.
• Cleavage Type: Elbaite: Very poor to indistinct, parallel to the c-axis. Quartz: None.
• Fracture Type: Elbaite: Conchoidal to uneven. Quartz: Conchoidal.
• Tenacity: Brittle (both elbaite and quartz).
• Luster Type: Vitreous to resinous (elbaite), Vitreous (quartz).

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