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Albite / Elbaite, also known as Tourmaline is a group of mixed crystals with the following major members, Elbaite, Dravite, Schorl, Buergerite, Tsilaisite, and Uvite. Elbaite forms in igneous and metamorphic rocks and veins and have crystal that can be tinted by other minerals, thus allowing for a rainbow of colors to be formed. This sometimes allows for multi-colored specimens (watermelon tourmaline) to sometimes form. What distinguishes tourmalines are the three-sided cross sections that are different than any other mineral. The crystals are Pleochroism, meaning they will display different coloration when viewed at different angles, due to light being bent and refracted at a slower rate through one crystal as opposed to another. If the specimen is then viewed at a different angle, the light entering will be observed differently.
