$245Median
486Sold (12 mo)
$750Last sale
Elbaite specimens for sale
387 for sale · $18–$40,000 USD
2,360 in the gallery
Elbaite is a lithium-rich member of the tourmaline group, typically forming color-zoned, prismatic crystals with glassy to vitreous luster. The mineral commonly displays a range of colors from green to pink and can occur in elongated, even, striated crystal habits, often forming attractive specimens associated with pegmatitic environments. Localities such as Brazil and the United States are renowned for well-formed elbaite crystals, sometimes accompanied by associated tourmaline varieties and other pegmatite minerals. These specimens are prized for their clarity, color, and classic tourmaline termination shapes, which reveal the mineral’s characteristic vertical striations and smooth, lustrous faces.
- Formula
- Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
- Rarity
- Common
- Stability
- Stable
- Collector interest
- Very High Interest
- Classification notes
- Silicates; Cyclosilicates; Tourmaline group
Key characteristics
- Crystal system
- trigonal
- Mohs hardness
- 7–7.5
- Specific gravity
- 2.9–3.2
- Luster
- vitreous, resinous
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent, opaque
- Color
- colorless, white, gray, black, brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, pink
- Streak
- white
- Cleavage
- none
- Fracture
- subconchoidal, uneven
- Crystal habit
- prismatic, acicular, radiating, granular, massive
- Gem mineral
- Classic / historic
Buy Elbaite specimens
View all 387Where Elbaite is found
Top localities
- Himalaya Mine229 specimens
- Cruzeiro mine187 specimens
- Paprok166 specimens
- Minas Gerais106 specimens
- Santa Rosa Mine96 specimens
- Pederneira mine89 specimens
- Coronel Murta78 specimens
- Virgem da Lapa44 specimens
- São José da Safira41 specimens
- Palelni Mine35 specimens
About Elbaite
Collectors value elbaite for its vivid color potential, rarity in certain color forms, and the aesthetic appeal of clean, well-formed crystals. Its association with other tourmaline species and pegmatite assemblages offers a window into complex mineral parageneses. In hand specimens, elbaite can present as strikingRecharge-like color zoning and sharp terminations, making it a sought-after piece for display and study alike.
