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Browse all objects from the National Gem Collection currently viewable online. Sort by mineral, collection, country, or setting.
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Elbaite with Achroite [G9147]
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GeoFacts
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Photograph of a group of faceted elbaites from the National Gem Collection displaying a range of colors Photo by Chip Clark |
Tourmaline
The name tourmaline comes from the Sinhalese word turmali, used by Sri Lankan merchants to describe an undetermined mix of gemstones. In fact, tourmalines are a family of 11 minerals with the same basic ring-shaped arrangements silicon, around, and oxygen atoms. Commonly found in pegmatites today, they produce some spectacular crystals and gems.
Hover over color tiles above to learn what this object tells us about the history of the Earth
denotes specimens currently on exhibit
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