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Tourmaline is a borosilicate mineral group known for its wide range of colors, making it one of the most diverse gemstones. It can be found in every color of the rainbow, including shades of black, brown, red, green, blue, yellow, and purple. The color is determined by the presence of trace elements like iron, magnesium, lithium, and manganese. Tourmaline crystals are typically elongated, with a distinctive rounded triangular cross-section, and often exhibit striations.

Here's a more detailed look:

Color Variety:

Tourmaline's diverse colors are due to the inclusion of different elements in its chemical structure. For example, iron leads to dark shades, magnesium to brown or yellow, and manganese to red or pink.

Crystal Structure:

Tourmaline crystals are usually prismatic and long, sometimes referred to as "tourmaline pencils". They often have vertical striations and a distinctive triangular or hexagonal cross-section.

Hardness:

Tourmaline has a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, making it suitable for jewelry.

Gemstone Quality:

While black tourmaline (schorl) is the most abundant, many varieties are suitable for gem use, especially those with a transparent and flaw-free nature.