Tourmaline and Quartz
UNB-2020-0054Minerals » Silicates
Description
Original Description: *Incomplete.
Tourmaline (Na(Mg,Fe)3Al6(BO3)3(Si,O18)(OH,F)4) can be black (Schorl), blue (Indicolite), pink and red (Rubellite), brown (Dravite), green, multicoloured or white (rare). Lustre is vitreous and streak is white. Hardness is 7 to 7 1/2. Tourmaline usually occurs as short to long prismatic crystals that have a rounded triangular cross-section with striations along the length of the crystal faces. Tourmaline can also be radiating, columnar or compact.
Quartz (SiO2) can come in a wide range of colours from white to purple. Lustre is vitreous or greasy and streak is white. Hardness is 7. Quartz usually occurs as prismatic crystals that are terminated by double rhombohedrons with striations crosswise. Quartz can also be granular, massive or disseminated.
Specifications
| Object name | Tourmaline and Quartz |
|---|---|
| ID | UNB-2020-0054 |
| Legal status | Permanent collection |
| Category | Mineral |
| Classification | Mineral group: Silicates |
| Composition |
|
| Origin | Maine, U.S.A. |
| Pieces | 1 |
| Partial | No |
Map of Origin
Publications
- Chesterman, C.W. 1979. Audubon Society, Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals. Knopf.