Tourmaline and Austinite Physical Properties
Tenacity
Not Available
Brittle
Solubility
Not Available
Easily soluble in cold dilute HCl
Durability
Not Available
Not Available
Specific Gravity
2.85-3.35
4.12
Fracture
Uneven, Conchoidal, ConchoidalArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Brittle, Uneven, Brittle, Uneven
Cleavage
Indistinct
Good in two directions parallel to the prism faces {110}
Mohs Hardness
7-7.5
4-4.5
Chemical Composition
Tourmaline is a series of several different minerals with unique chemical formulas. See The chemical formula of Tourmaline for details.
CaZn(AsO4)(OH)
Tourmaline and Austinite Chemical Formula
While comparing Tourmaline and Austinite physical properties, the important data you should know is its chemical composition. Since chemical formula defines the molecular structure of the crystal, most of the physical properties like color, tenacity, solubility are governed by Tourmaline and Austinite chemical formula.
- Chemical formula of Tourmaline- Tourmaline is a series of several different minerals with unique chemical formulas. See The chemical formula of Tourmaline for details.
- Chemical formula of Austinite- CaZn(AsO4)(OH)
Tourmaline and Austinite Specific Gravity
Another important criteria for qualitative analysis of gemstones is Tourmaline and Austinite Specific gravity. Specific gravity is the relative density of a gemstone compared with respect to density of water. Gemologists use Tourmaline and Austinite Optical Properties during the identification of gemstone. Specific gravity of Tourmaline is 4.12 whereas that of Austinite is 4.12.