Found in micaceous metasomatic clay-carbonate rocks in the Onezhkii basin, central Karelia, Russia. Mg Al borosilicate - Crystals are stubby to long prismatic, often striated vertically. Found in many places, but the best and most famous crystals are probably those from Yinnietharra, Western Australia, where sharp complete doubly-terminated brown crystals to the size of a softball have been found. Not hard to obtain. Na Al Li borosilicate - This is the most famous tourmaline group member, occurring in many colors, including red, green, blue, yellow, and rarely colorless.
Crystals are short to long prismatic, vertically striated, occasionally acicular or other habits.
Elbaite most often occurs in granite pegmatites, and is found in fine crystals at numerous localities all over the world. Crystals to 1.6 meters long have been found. Formed by hydrothermal replacement of silicates in a pegmatitic rock. Li Al borosilicate - Found in stout crystals, up to 25x10 centimeters, striated along their lengths. These huge crystals are found in pegmatites in various parts of Madagascar.