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| Achroite (variety of Elbaite, Tourmaline) |
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Discovered in the 1845; IMA status: Not Valid (variety name) | |||
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More Information |
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Achroite
is a variety of Elbaite,
Tourmaline. |
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Synonyms: |
Acroite |
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Type Locality: |
Fonte del Prete, San Piero in Campo, Elba Island, Livorno Province, Tuscany, Italy |
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Year Discovered: |
1845 |
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View mineral photos: |
Achroite Mineral Photos and Locations
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Unusual Gem Categories |
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More Information |
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Mindat.org
(Achroite) |
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Achroite is the colorless variety of Tourmaline, that is usually, but not always, the Elbaite variety of Tourmaline. The absence of color may be due to the presence of Manganese (Mn) and/or Magnesium (Mg). Achroite crystals typically have well developed faces, are elongated and striated with triangular cross sections and pyramidal terminations. Crystal often appear fibrous or heavily included. Clean, clear, colorless crystals large enough for faceting are very rare. Crystals can be multi-colored from some locations. The most common secondary color is green. Some crystals are colorless at the base and termination with various shades of green in the middle. Other crystals are green at the termination and colorless at the base, etc. Some Achroite gems may have a very slight hint of pink and others may be heated to remove the pink. As with other Tourmaline varieties, Achroite is Piezoelectric and Pyroelectric. Achroite was named in 1845 by Russian chemist Rudolph Hermann (1805-1879) from the Greek word άχρους (áchrous), meaning colorless or without color. In 1855 Hermann developed his own classification of minerals which he named heterodimensional. The Vernadsky State Geological Museum in Moscow keeps the mineralogical collection of Hermann, totalling more than 3000 samples of 900 mineral species and varieties from Europe, Russia and America. Hermann also discovered Chiolite and also analysed and named Planerite, Pyrophyllite and Turgite. Achroite distribution: the best Achroite crystals may be from the Paprok Mine, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan. At Usakos, Karibib District, Erongo Region, Namibia. At Skardu, Skardu District, Baltistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. In the USA at the Mountain Lily Mine, Aguanga Mountain, Oak Grove, Aguanga Mountain District, San Diego County, California. Achroite has also been reported from Bolivia, Czech Republic, England, India, Madagascar, Nepal and Sri Lanka. |
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Achroite gems for sale: We have not photographed our Achroite gems yet. Please check back soon. |
