Fluor-elbaite is a rare member of the tourmaline group, chemically defined by the dominance of fluorine at the W-site. It is physically indistinguishable from common elbaite without advanced chemical analysis like electron microprobe or X-ray diffraction. Collectors value it for its complex crystal habits and wide range of vibrant, gemmy colors found in high-quality pegmatite pockets.
Is this fluor-elbaite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch fluor-elbaite with a known reference. Fluor-elbaite sits at Mohs 7.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals with rounded triangular cross-sections, often striated.
Often confused with
Fluor-elbaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside fluor-elbaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fluor-elbaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F
- Mohs hardness
- 7.5
- Density
- 3.091-3.123 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals with rounded triangular cross-sections, often striated
- Cleavage
- Poor/indistinct on {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Gemstone
- Host rock
- Formed in or near miarolitic cavities by late-stage hydrothermal solutions in a zoned granitic pegmatite
Where rockhounds find fluor-elbaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cruzeiro mine, São José da Safira and the Urubu mine, Itinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Formed in or near miarolitic cavities by late-stage hydrothermal solutions in a zoned granitic pegmatite. If you start seeing quartz, muscovite, lepidolite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals with rounded triangular cross-sections, often striated. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify fluor-elbaite?+
Where is fluor-elbaite found?+
What rocks look like fluor-elbaite?+
What minerals are found with fluor-elbaite?+
What kind of rock does fluor-elbaite form in?+
What is fluor-elbaite used for?+
Find fluor-elbaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
