Basic Info On Elbaite

Elbaite is the most common form of colored tourmaline and can be found in gem quality crystals on every continent except Antarctica, though it is still quite rare compared to many other minerals. Elbaite is a mineral in the tourmaline group. It is a complex sodium lithium aluminum boro-aluminosilicate fluoride that crystallizes in the trigonal system. It is found primarily in lithium-rich pegmatites with minerals such as lepidolite (lithium rich mica), albite, microcline, quartz, beryl, spodumene, and garnet.

Elbaite crystals are often found in pockets in pegmatites that can contain a stunning variety of other gem minerals, some very rare and valuable like morganite beryl or kunzite for example. Elbaite is typically transparent and occurs in every color imaginable though the most common color varieties are verdelite (green elbaite), rubellite (red or pink elbaite), indicolite (blue elbaite), and achroite (colorless elbaite.) Often, crystals that have a red interior and a green exterior called ‘watermelon tourmaline’ have been found and they are very popular as semi-precious gemstones, often slabbed into tiny sections that look like a juicy slice of geological watermelon minus the seeds! Elbaite can form in crystals that are many colors- it is not uncommon to see crystals of this mineral that have sections with three or more different colors, which is very rare to observe in any mineral. Few other minerals and no other semi-precious or precious gemstone has as much color variation in single crystals as Elbaite does.

Elbaite is found in a variety of places but was first discovered on the island of Elba in Italy, which though rich in many beautiful minerals, is more famous for Napoleon’s exile. On Elba, elbaite occurs as small but colorful crystals in pegmatite pockets. Fine elbaite has historically been mined from California, Connecticut, and Maine though currently, it is less common to see this material and it is very valuable and expensive. Nowadays, most of the Elbaite crystals on the market come from three countries- Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Brazil where they are mined by artisanal miners (in Brazil they are called garimpeiros) who risk their lives to chase elbaite filled pockets in pegmatites. Much of the elbaite they find is shattered and therefore makes good gem rough- faceted elbaite gemstones are valuable and desirable in jewelry for their bright color and durability. Complete crystals are usually cleaned and sold for the specimen and wire wrapping markets – elbaite crystals, which are typically elongated and somewhat spear shaped look great set in a wrap on their own or with other minerals too! Matrix specimens of elbaite are rarest and unless they contain significant gem rough, they are usually saved and sold as specimens. Matrix specimens of elbaite range in value from $50 to several millions depending on quality, size, color, and origin of the specimens. Elbaites from the US and Italy tend to be the most sought after and most valuable due to their rarity. Most newly mined specimens on the market nowadays tend to originate in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Brazil, with lesser quantities coming from African nations such as Madagascar, Namibia, Mozambique, and Nigeria.