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Tourmaline is a fascinating mineral known for its wide array of colors and complex chemical composition. It's a group of closely related minerals sharing a common crystal structure but varying in chemical and physical properties. Tourmaline is prized as a gemstone, particularly when transparent and free from flaws, and is also used in various electrical applications due to its unique piezoelectric properties.

Key characteristics of tourmaline:

• Color:

  Tourmaline comes in virtually every color imaginable, including black, brown, red, pink, yellow, green, blue, and even colorless. Some crystals even exhibit multiple colors within the same stone, sometimes displaying color zoning or even being pink at one end and green at the other.

• Chemical Composition:

  It's a complex borosilicate mineral with a diverse chemical makeup, leading to the variety of colors and other properties.

• Crystal Structure:

  Tourmaline typically forms elongated, prismatic crystals with a characteristic triangular cross-section.

• Piezoelectric and Pyroelectric Properties:

  Tourmaline can generate an electric charge when subjected to mechanical pressure (piezoelectric) or temperature changes (pyroelectric).

• Durability:

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

• Gemstone Varieties:

  Different colored varieties are often given specific names, such as rubellite (red/pink), dravite (brown), and schorl (black).

• Abundance and Rarity:

  While tourmaline is relatively abundant, certain colors and sources, like Paraiba tourmaline, are highly valued and rare.

• Zodiac and Anniversary Associations:

  Tourmaline is associated with the zodiac signs Libra and Scorpio and is the gem for the eighth wedding anniversary.