Tourmalinated Quartz
Quartz
Published: June 2014
Modified: September 2023
Mother Nature must have been in a whimsical, artistic mood when she created tourmalinated quartz. These crystals are usually colorless rock crystal with long, slender tourmaline inclusions, usually black in color. A relative unknown to the general public, this gem is truly a marvel! The inclusions are always one-of-a-kind, making a beautiful display in a gem collection or jewelry pieces.
General Information
Common Name
Tourmalinated Quartz
Species
Quartz
Transparency
Transparent - Opaque
Dispersion
Strength: Weak Fire Value: 0.013
Refractive Index
1.544-1.553
Tolerance:very constant
Tolerance:very constant
Birefringence
0.009
Optic Character
Uniaxial
Optic Sign
Positive
Polariscope Reaction
Aggregate (AGG), Doubly Refractive (DR)
Fluorescence
SWUV: Inert
LWUV: Inert
LWUV: Inert
Pleochroism
None
Hardness
7
Streak
White
Specific Gravity
2.640-2.690 Typical:2.660
Toughness
Good
Inclusions
Tourmalinated quartz will contain tourmaline inclusions and may contain liquid, two-phase and three-phase inclusions, negative crystals, minerals, needles, rutile and iron particles.
Luster
Vitreous
Stability
Good
Fracture
Conchoidal
Cleavage
None
Chemical Name
silicon dioxide (aka silica)
Chemical Formula
SiO2
Crystal System
Trigonal
Chemistry Classification
Silicate
Tourmalinated Quartz Colors
-
Black -
Gray -
Multi-color
Alternate Names
Sagenitic Quartz
Countries of Origin
Argentina; Mozambique; Unknown; Sri Lanka; Brazil
Care
Normal care
