Knowledge base

Sodalite Blue is a striking and much-loved ornamental stone known for its deep, often royal sodalite tones and contrasting white veining. This mineral attracts gem collectors, lapidary artists and designers for its distinctive blue color and versatile applications, from beads and cabochons to architectural slabs. Beyond aesthetics, sodalite has an interesting geological story, a number […]

Halite, commonly known as rock salt, is a mineral that has shaped landscapes, economies and cultures for millennia. It is admired by geologists for its simple cubic crystals, studied by chemists for its role as the primary source of table salt, and utilized by engineers and municipalities for practical, everyday functions such as road maintenance.

Aragonite is a fascinating and widely distributed mineral form of calcium carbonate that plays major roles in geology, biology and human industry. Although less stable at Earth’s surface than its polymorph calcite, aragonite forms elegant acicular crystals and needle-like aggregates, builds the shells and skeletons of many marine organisms, and appears in caves, hydrothermal systems

Chiastolite is a fascinating and visually striking variety of the mineral andalusite, prized both by collectors and lapidaries for its distinctive dark, cross-shaped inclusions. This article explores its mineralogical identity, typical environments of occurrence, practical uses in jewelry and ornamentation, and the cultural and metaphysical associations that have grown up around it. Along the way,

Andalusite is a distinctive and scientifically valuable mineral whose presence tells a story about the pressure and temperature history of rocks, and whose physical properties have found uses in both industry and jewelry. Named after the Spanish region where it was first recognized, this aluminum silicate is one of three polymorphs of Al2SiO5 and plays

Ametrine is a striking and unusual variety of quartz that combines the purple of amethyst with the yellow to orange of citrine in a single crystal. Renowned for its natural bicoloration, ametrine offers a visual drama that appeals to gem collectors, jewelers and those interested in the mineral’s alleged energetic attributes. This article explores the

Scheelite is a striking and scientifically important mineral best known as one of the primary ores of tungsten. Its bright luster, high specific gravity and characteristic blue-white fluorescence under ultraviolet light made it a favorite of collectors and prospectors alike long before its industrial significance was fully appreciated. Chemically simple yet geologically versatile, scheelite appears

Wulfenite is an eye-catching secondary mineral prized by mineralogists and collectors for its striking colors and thin, tabular crystals. As a member of the molybdate family, it links the chemistry of lead deposits with the geochemical mobility of molybdenum. This article explores the mineral’s chemistry, formation environments, notable occurrences, practical and scientific uses, and aspects

Smithsonite is a striking and historically important mineral that often delights collectors and scientists alike. Chemically a zinc carbonate (ZnCO3), it forms in the oxidized zones of zinc-bearing ore deposits and displays a wide palette of colors and habits. This article explores its chemistry, physical characteristics, global occurrences, economic roles as an ore of zinc,

Dioptase is a strikingly colored copper mineral prized by mineralogists, gem cutters, and collectors for its vivid green to bluish-green crystals. Though not commonly used in mainstream industry due to its relative softness and scarcity, dioptase occupies an important niche in the world of decorative stones, mineralogical study, and cultural lore. In the following sections