Fluor-uvite is a tourmaline mineral with the chemical formula CaMg3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F. It is a rare mineral that is found in calcium-rich contact metamorphic rocks with increased amounts of boron. Uvite is trigonal hexagonal, which means that it has three equal length axes at 120 degrees, all perpendicular to its fourth axis which has a different length. Uvite was first found in 1929 in Uva Province, Sri Lanka, hence the name.
Uvite has no use but is commonly found in mineral specimen collections. The mineral is sought after by collectors because of its pronounced colors, crystal structure, and often large crystal size.
General Information
- Category: Cyclosilicate (tourmaline group)
- Formula: CaMg3(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F
- Crystal system: Trigonal
- Crystal class: Ditrigonal pyramidal (3m)
Fig: Fluor-uvite (tourmaline mineral)
Properties
Uvite’s hardness has been measured to be 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. The color of uvite widely varies, depending on the sample, but is mostly deep green or brown. In regard to uvite’s optical properties, it is uniaxial (-) and anisotropic, meaning that the velocity of light in the mineral depends on the path that it takes. In the plane polarized light, uvite is colorless to pale yellow and shows weak pleochroism.
- Color: Black, greenish-black, brownish-black, brown, green, colorless
- Tenacity: Brittle
- Mohs scale hardness: 7.5
- Luster: Vitreous, Resinous
- Streak: Light-brown, light-green, or white
- Diaphaneity: Transparent, Translucent
- Density: 2.97 – 3.14 g/cm3
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