XY₃Z₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄
Tourmaline
A complex borosilicate, piezoelectric, and October sometimes claims the pink and green beside the opal.
- Formula
- XY₃Z₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 7–7.5
- Crystal system
- trigonal
- Colour
- many-coloured
- Element
- earth
- Chakra (tradition)
- heart
- Zodiac
- Libra
- Month
- October
- Where the earth keeps it
- Brazil, Afghanistan, Mozambique
What it actually is
Tourmaline is XY₃Z₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄ before it is a story. The lattice is trigonal, Mohs 7–7.5, and the eye meets many-coloured.
The better pieces still come out of the ground in Brazil, Afghanistan, Mozambique. A complex borosilicate, piezoelectric, and October sometimes claims the pink and green beside the opal.
What the old tradition whispers
The parlour tradition ties Tourmaline to earth and to the heart centre. The old site stood it near: Libra. Old tables sit it beside October.
How not to turn it to ash
A hard stone survives a daily ring, yet two diamonds in one box will scratch each other. Warm water and a soft cloth are enough.