1. A blue or violet variety of tourmaline, a semi-precious gemstone that exhibits dichroism (showing different colors when viewed from different angles).
Usage: mineralogy; gemology; also called dichroic tourmaline

Examples

• The dichroites specimen displayed a striking shift from blue to violet depending on the viewing angle.
• Collectors prize dichroites for its unique optical properties and rich coloration.
• Under the jeweler's loupe, the dichroites revealed its characteristic dichroism.
• The museum's mineral collection includes a fine example of dichroites from Brazil.