tourmaline (redirected from Tourmalines)

tour·ma·line  (trm-ln, -ln)

n.

A complex crystalline silicate containing aluminum, boron, and other elements, used in electronic instrumentation and, especially in its green, clear, and blue varieties, as a gemstone.

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[French, from Sinhalese toramalli, carnelian.]

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tourmaline [ˈtʊəməˌliːn]

n

(Earth Sciences / Minerals) any of a group of hard glassy minerals of variable colour consisting of complex borosilicates of aluminium with quantities of lithium, sodium, calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium in hexagonal crystalline form: used in optical and electrical equipment and in jewellery

[from German Turmalin, from Sinhalese toramalli carnelian]

tourmalinic  [ˌtʊəməˈlɪnɪk] adj

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tourmaline  (trm-ln, -ln)

Any of several minerals having the general chemical formula (Na,Ca)(Mg,Fe,Al,Li)₃Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄. Tourmaline occurs in many different translucent colors, usually in crystals shaped like 3-, 6-, or 9-sided prisms. It occurs in igneous and metamorphic rocks, especially in pegmatites.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

tourmaline - a mineral that is a complex borosilicate and hydroxide of aluminum containing iron and magnesium and calcium and lithium and sodium; it is usually black but occurs in transparent colored forms that are used as gemstones mineral - solid homogeneous inorganic substances occurring in nature having a definite chemical composition schorl - black tourmaline transparent gem - a gemstone having the property of transmitting light without serious diffusion