Where is Tourmaline found?
Tourmaline
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Open the appTourmaline occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Tourmaline
Brazil
Minas Gerais is a world-renowned source for gem-quality tourmaline, including Elbaite varieties like Rubellite, Indicolite, and particularly the rare and valuable Paraíba Tourmaline (a cuprian Elbaite).
United States
Maine and California are historically significant for gem tourmaline, especially Elbaite. Other states like Connecticut and Colorado also have occurrences.
Afghanistan
Known for fine gem-quality tourmaline, including pink, green, and multi-colored varieties, often found in pegmatites.
Pakistan
Produces excellent gem tourmaline, similar to Afghanistan, often from pegmatite deposits.
Africa (e.g., Nigeria, Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania)
Various African countries are significant producers of gem tourmaline, including pink, green, and blue varieties, and some Paraíba-type tourmaline.
Sri Lanka
Historically a source of various tourmaline colors, often found in alluvial deposits.
Collecting tips
- Look in Pegmatites. Tourmaline is most commonly found in granitic pegmatites. Search for areas with exposed pegmatite dikes, which are often associated with granite intrusions.
- Identify Associated Minerals. Tourmaline often co-occurs with quartz, feldspar, mica (muscovite, lepidolite), beryl, and spodumene in pegmatites. The presence of these minerals can indicate a good prospecting area.
- Check for Triangular Cross-Sections. A key identifying feature of tourmaline is its characteristic rounded triangular cross-section in prismatic crystals. Look for this shape on broken crystal fragments or exposed crystal faces.
- Observe Striations. Many tourmaline crystals exhibit prominent vertical striations (parallel lines) on their prismatic faces. This is a good indicator.
- Consider Metamorphic Terrains. In metamorphic regions, tourmaline can be found in schists and gneisses, particularly in boron-rich environments. Look for black, acicular (needle-like) crystals of schorl.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Highly variable (black, pink, red, blue, green, yellow, brown, colorless, multi-colored)
- Luster:
- Vitreous to resinous
- Streak:
- White
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