Tourmaline and Opal Physical Properties
Tenacity
Not Available
BrittleWalter Schumann
Solubility
Not Available
hot salt water
Durability
Not Available
Not Available
Specific Gravity
2.85-3.35
1.98-2.25
Fracture
Uneven, Conchoidal, ConchoidalArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Conchoidal, Conchoidal, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references, Brittle
Mohs Hardness
7-7.5
5-6.5
Chemical Composition
Tourmaline is a series of several different minerals with unique chemical formulas. See The chemical formula of Tourmaline for details.
SiO2 · nH2O
Tourmaline and Opal Chemical Formula
While comparing Tourmaline and Opal 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 Opal 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 Opal- SiO2 · nH2O
Tourmaline and Opal Specific Gravity
Another important criteria for qualitative analysis of gemstones is Tourmaline and Opal Specific gravity. Specific gravity is the relative density of a gemstone compared with respect to density of water. Gemologists use Tourmaline and Opal Optical Properties during the identification of gemstone. Specific gravity of Tourmaline is 1.98-2.25 whereas that of Opal is 1.98-2.25.