mineral

Possible rough green tourmaline (verdelite)

Tourmaline group; commonly elbaite, Na(Li₁.₅Al₁.₅)Al₆Si₆O₁₈(BO₃)₃(OH)₄

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Small, dark green, rough translucent-to-opaque fragment; blur and scale limit identification. Tourmaline is Mohs 7–7.5, typically vitreous, with a trigonal crystal structure and poor cleavage.

Identified September 26, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Small, dark green, rough translucent-to-opaque fragment; blur and scale limit identification. Tourmaline is Mohs 7–7.5, typically vitreous, with a trigonal crystal structure and poor cleavage.

Formation & geological history

If tourmaline, it crystallized in boron-rich granitic pegmatites or related hydrothermal rocks; such deposits formed at various geological ages. The photo cannot establish age or confirm the mineral.

Uses & applications

Gem-quality green tourmaline is cut for jewelry; ordinary or fractured pieces are collected. This fragment appears too small or rough to assess as a gemstone.

Geological facts

Tourmaline crystals commonly show lengthwise striations and have a triangular cross-section, but neither feature is clear here.

Field identification & locations

Green tourmaline is plausible in Ethiopia’s broader geology, but this image alone is insufficient to distinguish it from other green minerals or glass. Check for a crystal habit, hardness, and whether it scratches glass; testing should be done cautiously.