(Fwd) Tourmaline

Forwarded Message FollowsDate: Thu, 21 Nov 1996 15:03:49 -0600
To: service@ganoksin.com
From: rleclair@nt.net
Reply-to: rleclair@nt.net
Subject: A message to you

Hi, my name is Adrian and i’m grade 11 Geology student, and i was
wondering if you could tell me what the atomic weight, chemical
composition, atomic number, crystal structure, and a little
background of the tourmaline gemstone?

Thank You

DEA> From: rleclair@nt.net
DEA> Reply-to: rleclair@nt.net
DEA> Subject: A message to you

DEA> Hi, my name is Adrian and i’m grade 11 Geology student, and i was
DEA> wondering if you could tell me what the atomic weight, chemical
DEA> composition, atomic number, crystal structure, and a little
DEA> background of the tourmaline gemstone?

DEA> Thank You

G’day, Adrian. TOURMALINE: (also called SCHORL) Chemical composition; An
extremely
complex mineral, (Na.Ca)Li.Mg.Fe.Al3)(Al.Fe)6 B3Si6 O27(O,OH.F)4 The
numbers should be in sub-script but this system won’t allow that!
However,it can be described as a complex aluminium, alkali metals iron
and magnesium borosilicate
The crystal structure is HEXAGONAL, prismatic of acicular crystals -
also massive. Lustre; vitreous to resinous Poor cleavage. Hardness 7

  • 7.5Mohr Specific Gravity; 2.98 - 3.2
    Occurrance is worldwide in granite, gneiss, syenite, shists and
    crystalline limestone.
    Your request for atomic number and atomic weight do not apply as
    tourmaline is NOT a single element - look at the formula above!
    It can show strong colour changes depending on direction- best through
    the sides for blue and green. Commercially mined in Brazil,
    Madagascar, Sri Lanka, California, USA. Mozambique.
    Hope that this might help. Don’t really want to try and blind you with
    science, but - well, you asked! Cheers, John Burgess.
    (johnb@ts.co.nz)