AllMineralsRock
Rhodolite Vs. Tourmaline
Rhodolite is a gemstone (garnet) composed of magnesium iron aluminum silicate.[1] Tourmaline is a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is boron silicate.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Rhodolite and Tourmaline
For a quick recap of the differences rhodolite and tourmaline:- While both rhodolite and tourmaline can be translucent or transparent, tourmaline can be opaque.
- For chemical formulas, rhodolite can be (Mg or Fe)3Al2Si3O12 while tourmaline can be (Ca, Al, B)6O18(OH, Cr, F)4, Fe, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn)3(Al, Na)(Al or V)6(BO3)3(Si.
- Rhodolite can be commonly purple while tourmaline can be commonly red.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Rhodolite and Tourmaline
The similarities of rhodolite and tourmaline include:- In terms of luster, rhodolite and tourmaline both are vitreous.
- Rhodolite and tourmaline both streak white.
- Rhodolite's rarity is similar to tourmaline.
Summary of Rhodolite
Rhodolite is a mineral that belongs to the garnet family. It is a type of garnet that is a mixture of two other types of garnets - pyrope and almandine. Rhodolite is a pink to purple-red variety of garnet, and its name is derived from the Greek words "rhodon" meaning "rose" and "lithos" meaning "stone". It is a popular gemstone due to its unique color and high clarity.Summary of Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a mineral that belongs to the silicate group and is known for its unique crystal structure and the wide range of colors it comes in. It is a complex mineral that contains boron, aluminum, and other elements. Tourmaline is found in many different parts of the world, including Brazil, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the United States. The mineral can be identified by its prismatic crystal habit, which means that it has a long, column-like shape with flat faces on either end.Table Comparison of Rhodolite vs Tourmaline
| Rhodolite (src) | Tourmaline (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent | transparent, translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | (Mg,Fe)3Al2Si3O12 | (Ca,K,Na)(Al,Fe,Li,Mg,Mn)3(Al,Cr,Fe,V)6(BO3)3(Si,Al,B)6O18(OH,F)4 |
| Chemical Composition | magnesium iron aluminum silicate | boron silicate |
| Streak | white | white |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: purple sometimes: red |
common: red sometimes: blue, black less common: gray, pink, brown, green, white, orange, purple, violet, yellow, colorless, multicolor |
| Category | nesosilicate | cyclosilicate |
| Birefringence | none | δ = -0.018 to −0.040 |