Aventurine is a kind of quartz (crystalline mineral composed of silica), whose plate-like mineral inclusions give it a unique shimmering effect. Aventurine is usually green in color, and because of its attractive optical effect, it is a popular semiprecious gemstone. Have you ever wondered if green Aventurine can go in the water? In this article, …
Howlite is a borate mineral with a chemical formula of Ca2B5SiO9(OH)5. It is an evaporite deposit, meaning that it is a mineral formed after evaporation from an aqueous solution. Howlite usually occurs in the form of irregular nodules, and it is found in places like California (the US) and Nova Scotia (Canada). Have you ever …
Calcite is the most stable polymorph of Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3). It is a common mineral found in all types of rocks around the world. Calcite is the principal constituent of limestone and marble, used widely in the construction industry. It is also used in soil treatment, optical instruments, gemstones, etc. Have you ever wondered if …
Sodalite is a tectosilicate mineral having a chemical formula Na8(Al6Si6O24)Cl2. It is best known for its royal blue color and is widely used as an ornamental gemstone. It is a member of the feldspathoid mineral group, and it gets its name due to its sodium content. Have you ever wondered if Sodalite can go in …
Unakite is an altered granite (igneous rock) made up of three components: green epidote, pink orthoclase feldspar, and colourless quartz. It was first discovered in the Unaka mountain range (from where it got its name) of North Carolina, and it has a variety of uses from jewellery to construction. Have you ever wondered if Unakite …
Carnelian is a reddish-brown mineral made up of the silica (SiO2) mineral chalcedony. It has inclusions of iron oxide, which are responsible for its distinctive color. The mineral is found in places like Peru, Sri Lanka, Thailand, etc., and it is a popular semi-precious gemstone. Have you ever wondered if carnelian can go in salt? …
Carnelian is a brownish-red mineral made up of chalcedony, a form of silica. It has been used as beads from as early as the Neolithic period, and it continues to be used as a semi-precious gemstone. Carnelian is quite similar to another mineral known as sard. Have you ever wondered if Carnelian can go in …
Celestite, also known as Celestine, is a mineral made up of strontium sulfate (SrSO4). Its name comes from the Latin term caelestis meaning “celestial”, a reference to the sky-blue colour of the mineral. Have you ever wondered if Celestite can go in the water? In this article, we are going to discuss just that, while …
Bloodstone is another name for heliotrope, which is a cryptocrystalline mixture of quartz that is mostly jasper or chalcedony. The most popular Bloodstone is opaque green jasper having red inclusions of hematite. The red inclusions look like spots of blood, which is why the stone is called Bloodstone. In this article, we are going to …
Moonstone is a gemstone of the orthoclase feldspar group. It exhibits a unique visual effect known as adularescence, which produces a milky, bluish light inside the stone—hence the name moonstone. Because of its gorgeous glimmer, moonstone is a popular choice for jewelry. Have you ever wondered “can Moonstone go in the water? In this article, …
Blue lace agate is a variety of agate, which is a common rock formation made up of quartz and chalcedony. Agate comes in a wide variety of colors, and its use in jewelry goes back to the 3rd century BC. Have you ever wondered if blue lace agate is safe to put into water? In …
Angelite is a kind of anhydrite or anhydrous calcium sulfate (CaSO4). It is a semi-transparent bluish-grey mineral that was first discovered in Peru during the late 20th century. The mineral’s name comes from the term “anhydrous”, meaning “without water”, referring to the fact that anhydrite is gypsum without water. In this article, we are going …
Labradorite is a feldspar mineral that exhibits a beautiful schiller effect. It is mainly found in mafic igneous rocks like basalt, gabbro, and norite. Labradorite gets its name from the place where it was first discovered, Labrador (Canada), and it is also found in areas like Russia and Finland. Because of its beauty, Labradorite is …
You see a unique and beautiful jewel at the jeweler, and you pop in. The jeweler informs you that it is a Mookaite crystal. You see other beautiful pendants, earrings, and rings made from Mookaite. You are attracted to a stunning ring but decide to inquire further before buying it. Your first question is, can …
A crystal is a solid material whose constituents (atoms, molecules, etc.) are arranged in an extremely well-organized manner, forming a crystal lattice. When we hear the term “crystal”, we usually only think of minerals like diamonds. But in reality, crystals include a wide variety of things such as graphite, table salt, and even snowflakes! In …