Brown magnesium-rich tourmaline variety. Common in metamorphosed limestones and magnesian schists. Color: Brown, dark brown, yellowish. Luster: Vitreous. Streak: White. Cleavage: None. Hardness: 7-7.5. Transparency: Transparent to translucent. Crystal system: Hexagonal Trigonal. Chemical formula: NaMg₃Al₆ BO₃ ₃Si₆O₁₈ OH ₄. Specific gravity: 3.03. Formation: Forms during metamorphism of magnesium-rich boron-bearing rocks. Common geological settings: Austria Drave River , Australia, Brazil, Sri Lanka; found in metamorphic rocks. Common look-alikes and related entries: Schorl, Elbaite, Smoky Quartz.
Previous: Dolomite — Calcium magnesium carbonate that forms massive beds of dolostone. Distinguished from calcite by its slower reaction with cold acid.
Next: Elbaite — Lithium-rich tourmaline and the most colorful tourmaline species. Includes rubellite pink , indicolite blue , and watermelon tourmaline.
These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.
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Last updated
2026-03-30T14:37:44.899481+00:00
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Published; not independently peer-reviewed
IMA–CNMNC List of Mineral Names — International Mineralogical Association. Official mineral-name, nomenclature, and classification records.
Mineral ID Key — Mineralogical Society of America. Physical-property identification methods, repeat-testing guidance, and limitations.
Brown magnesium-rich tourmaline variety. Common in metamorphosed limestones and magnesian schists.
How can you identify Dravite?
Compare several properties rather than relying on colour alone. This entry records colour: Brown, dark brown, yellowish; lustre: Vitreous; streak: White; Mohs hardness: 7-7.5; cleavage: None; crystal system: Hexagonal Trigonal; transparency: Transparent to translucent. Confirm an important identification with additional field tests or qualified laboratory work.
How does Dravite form?
Forms during metamorphism of magnesium-rich boron-bearing rocks.
Where is Dravite commonly found?
Austria Drave River , Australia, Brazil, Sri Lanka; found in metamorphic rocks.
What is Dravite commonly confused with?
Dravite may be confused with Schorl, Elbaite, Smoky Quartz. Compare multiple diagnostic properties because colour and surface appearance can overlap.
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