Elbaite is a mineral species and the most significant source of tourmaline gemstones, known for its wide array of colors, including greens, reds, blues, and even colorless varieties, often exhibiting multiple colors in a single crystal. Named after the Italian island of Elba where it was first identified, el-baite is a sodium, lithium, aluminium boro-silicate mineral formed in granite pegmatites. Its unique crystal structures allow it to display various colors, leading to specific gem varieties like rubellite (red), indicolite (blue), and the highly valued Parai-ba tourmaline (neon blue), with watermelon tourmaline being a popular example of a multi-colored stone.

Elbaite Tourmaline on Quartz
Marilac mine
Minas Gerais, Brazil

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