Ankerite is a fascinating member of the carbonate mineral family whose chemical variability and textural diversity make it important both as a recorder of past geological processes and as an indicator mineral in many ore-forming environments. This article explores where ankerite occurs, how it forms, its physical and chemical characteristics, and the practical and scientific […]
Anhydrite is a widely distributed mineral with a deceptively simple composition and surprisingly diverse implications for industry, geology, and engineering. Found in natural sedimentary deposits, hydrothermal veins, and as a product of the dehydration of related minerals, it plays roles that range from being a raw material for industrial processes to a geological agent that
Angelskin Coral evokes images of delicate pink branches, carved rosaries and antique ornaments, but it is also a living part of marine ecosystems with a story that stretches from the seabed into culture, commerce and science. This article explores where Angelskin Coral occurs, how it has been used by people, the biology and ecology behind
Andesine is a member of the plagioclase feldspar group whose name and geological associations evoke images of volcanic mountain belts and evolving magmas. As an intermediate plagioclase, its chemical and structural characteristics make it central to understanding igneous processes, while its occasional appearance as a faceted or polished stone has triggered both commercial interest and
Analcime is a distinctive mineral that sits at the crossroads of several mineralogical categories. Appreciated by collectors and studied by geologists, it raises intriguing questions about crystal chemistry, formation conditions, and industrial potential. This article explores where analcime occurs, how it forms, what it is used for, and several lesser-known but fascinating aspects of its
Anatase is one of the three naturally occurring crystalline forms of titanium dioxide and a material that has drawn sustained attention across geology, materials science, and applied technology. Defined by a distinctive tetragonal crystal structure and characteristic physical and electronic properties, anatase appears in minerals, engineered powders, and thin films. Its combination of high refractive
The spiral silhouettes of ancient seas, preserved in stone and admired in museums and jewelry shops alike, tell a story that spans hundreds of millions of years. This article explores the biology, distribution, practical uses, and cultural significance of ammonites — one of the most recognizable and scientifically valuable groups of extinct marine animals. Through
The spiraled, chambered shell of the ammonite has fascinated generations of collectors, scientists and artists alike. These extinct marine cephalopod mollusks once carpeted the world’s oceans and left behind a rich fossil record that continues to inform our understanding of evolution, paleoenvironments and geologic time. This article explores where ammonites occur in the rock record,
Ammonites are among the most iconic and visually arresting fossils in the world, instantly recognizable by their coiled, chambered shell that echoes the spiral forms found across nature. Once living marine cephalopods, they thrived for hundreds of millions of years, left a rich fossil record, and continue to shape fields from paleontology to jewelry-making. This
Analcime is a striking and sometimes enigmatic member of the zeolite family, admired by mineral collectors and studied by petrologists and material scientists alike. Though often overlooked in broad discussions of industrial zeolites, it occupies a fascinating niche at the intersection of igneous petrology, low-temperature hydrothermal alteration, and zeolite mineralogy. In this article, we will
