Verdelite

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Verdelite refers to green elbaite tourmaline that does not contain chromium. Although green is a common color of tourmaline, not all greens are valued equally. Verdelite gems come in varying shades of green; some so saturated that direct light is necessary to see the body color. From lush grass-green to electric yellow-green to olive, and even bluish green, there is a verdelite gem to fit all tastes.

Verdelite Polished
Verdelite Classification
Common Name Verdelite
Species Tourmaline
Verdelite Optical Properties
Transparency Transparent - Opaque
Dispersion Strength: Moderate Fire Value: 0.017
Refractive Index 1.610-1.665
Birefringence 0.018-0.020
Optic Character Uniaxial
Optic Sign Negative
Polariscope Reaction Doubly Refractive (DR)
Fluorescence SWUV: Variable
LWUV: Variable
Pleochroism Dichroic, strong dark green and yellow-green
Verdelite Characteristic Physical Properties
Hardness 7-7.5
Streak White
Specific Gravity 3.000-3.260 Typical:3.060
Toughness Good
Inclusions Verdelite tourmaline is Type I clarity stone. Stones might contain liquid and gas inclusions that are long and thin, reflective gas-filled fractures and color zoning.
Luster Vitreous
Stability Very Good
Fracture Conchoidal, Subconchoidal, Uneven
Cleavage Poor, in two directions
Verdelite Chemistry & Crystallography
Chemical Name Complex boro-silicate of Al, Li and Na
Chemical Formula Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Crystal System Trigonal
Chemistry Classification Silicate

Verdelite Colors

  • Green Verdelite Green
  • Green Verdelite Green
  • Green Verdelite Green
  • Green Verdelite Green
  • Green Verdelite Green

Alternate Names

Verdelith

Countries of Origin

Afghanistan; United States of America (the); Czechia; Sri Lanka; Japan; Madagascar; Kenya; India; Sweden; Mozambique; China; Finland; Russian Federation (the); Brazil; Italy; Australia; France; Nigeria; Germany; Tajikistan; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the)

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Tim Matthews

Author

Tim Matthews

Tim Matthews is President and Chief Executive Officer of Jewelry Television® (JTV), as well as a member of the company's Board of Directors. He oversees and leads all aspects of the company's powerful omni-digital retail platform that uniquely specializes in fine jewelry and gemstones. His passion for business and gemstones has led him to become a recognized expert in the field of gemology. He is a life member of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) and has earned Gem-A's highest degrees, the Gemmology (FGA) and Diamond (DGA) diplomas. He is also a Graduate Gemologist (GG) of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and has also completed GIA's Graduate Diplomas in Diamonds, Colored Stones and Pearls. Under his leadership, JTV has become the leader in the sourcing and selling of color gemstones and jewelry.

This page was created on June 27, 2014.

This page was last edited on October 24, 2019.