Tourmaline crystals can occur in various forms and shapes. Here are the main crystal forms commonly associated with tourmaline:
- Prismatic Crystals:
- The most common form for tourmaline
- Elongated, often with a triangular cross-section
- Can be striated lengthwise
- Columnar:
- Similar to prismatic, but longer and more slender
- Acicular:
- Needle-like crystals
- Very thin and elongated
- Radiating:
- Groups of crystals spreading outward from a central point
- Massive:
- Compact, granular aggregates without distinct crystal faces
- Tabular:
- Flattened crystals, though less common in tourmaline
- Drusy:
- Small crystals coating a rock surface
- Botryoidal:
- Grape-like clusters, though rare in tourmaline
- Hemimorphic:
- Different crystal forms at opposite ends of the crystal
- A characteristic feature of tourmaline
- Etchings:
- Natural triangular etchings on crystal faces, common in some tourmalines
- Parallel Growths:
- Multiple crystals growing side-by-side in the same direction
- Tourmaline "Suns":
- Radial aggregates of acicular crystals, forming a sun-like appearance
The specific form a tourmaline crystal takes depends on its growth conditions, including temperature, pressure, and available space. These various forms contribute to tourmaline's diverse and often striking appearances in both its natural state and when cut for gemstones.
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