tourmalines
Let an agent explain tourmalines, relay chemistry, species, properties, occurrence and gem uses from mineralogy and gemmology sources, describe the named species and variety names, and distinguish tourmaline from beryl, quartz, topaz and glass imitations.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain tourmalines, relay chemistry, species, properties, occurrence and gem uses from mineralogy and gemmology sources, describe the named species and variety names, and distinguish tourmaline from beryl, quartz, topaz and glass imitations.
A group of complex boron silicate minerals of the cyclosilicate class with the general formula XY3Z6(T6O18)(BO3)3V3W, crystallising in trigonal prisms with rounded triangular cross-sections and striated faces, including common species such as schorl, elbaite and dravite and many rarer species the registry aliases name such as adachiite, maruyamaite, povondraite, princivalleite and alumino-oxy-rossmanite, while aphrizite is an old variety name for black tourmaline; tourmaline occurs in granite pegmatites and metamorphic rocks, comes in many colours, including watermelon and Paraiba varieties used as gemstones, and is piezoelectric and pyroelectric. Species nomenclature follows the International Mineralogical Association scheme of 2011 and later approvals.
What it is for: Gemstones, mineral specimens and piezoelectric applications.
It can be explain chemistry and structure; relay species and nomenclature; describe named species; relay gem uses and properties.
Distinguishing features
Triangular cross-section
Striated prisms
Pleochroism
Pyroelectric
What it looks like
Elongated striated prismatic crystals in black, green, pink, blue and multicoloured varieties.
Physical character
Mohs hardness: 7-7.5 Mohs
crystal system: trigonal note
IMA nomenclature: 2011 year - Henry and others
How it is recognised
Boron cyclosilicate mineral group
Alumino-oxy-rossmanite, princivalleite, aphrizite, maruyamaite, adachiite, povondraite
Beryl forms hexagonal prisms; quartz lacks boron and has hexagonal form; topaz has perfect cleavage; glass lacks crystal structure
Related models
is a kind of - in registry terms
includes -
includes -
is contrasted with -
In practice
Families and kinds
alkali tourmalines such as elbaite
calcic tourmalines such as uvite
vacancy tourmalines such as rossmanite
oxy-tourmalines
Standards and regulation
IMA mineral nomenclature
Gem trade disclosure rules for treatments
Failure modes and hazards
Undisclosed gem treatments
Misidentified species without analysis
Unsupported health claims for crystals
Also called
+6
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Understand What tourmaline is.
Science.
Definition
Definition.
Definition
Definition.
- What is tourmaline, and how does it differ from beryl, quartz, topaz and glass imitations? definition
- Is the question about buying a gem, which needs a certified lab report for treatments? boundary
Species
Named species.
Species
Species.
- What are adachiite, maruyamaite, povondraite, princivalleite and alumino-oxy-rossmanite, and what was aphrizite? definition
- Which entry fits the specific species? action
Mineralogy Mineralogy.
Science.
Chemistry
General formula.
Chemistry
Chemistry.
- How do site substitutions define tourmaline species? provenance
- Which references are standard? provenance
Occurrence
Occurrence.
Occurrence
Occurrence.
- Where does tourmaline form in pegmatites and metamorphic rocks? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
Gems Gemstones.
Regulation.
Varieties
Gem varieties.
Varieties
Varieties.
- What are rubellite, indicolite, watermelon and Paraiba tourmalines? provenance
- Which entry fits Paraiba tourmaline? action
Treatments
Treatments.
Treatments
Treatments.
- Which treatments such as heating and irradiation are disclosed? provenance
- Is the information current? boundary
Context Physics and claims.
Attribution.
Pyroelectricity
Pyroelectricity.
Pyroelectricity
Pyroelectricity.
- Why does tourmaline attract ash when heated, and how is piezoelectricity used? provenance
- Which entry fits pyroelectricity? action
Claims
Wellness claims.
Claims
Claims.
- What do scientists say about health claims for tourmaline products, with positions attributed? provenance
- Is the presentation neutral and attributed? boundary
What the second pass must settle
- Should rare species be separate entries?
- Should the obsolete variety name aphrizite be flagged in a history field?
- How should mindat and IMA lists be linked?