Hematite is an iron oxide having the formula Fe2O3. It is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth and is mined as an ore of iron. It is also used as a pigment, a minor gemstone, and for several other purposes. Earlier it was mined at locations all around the world, but now its…
Citrine is a transparent variety of Quartz that is yellow to orangish-red in color. It is one of the most frequently purchased yellow gemstones, thanks to its attractive color, low price, high clarity, and durability. The name comes from the Latin term citrina meaning “yellow”, which is also the source of the fruit citron’s name….
Aquamarine is a gem-quality specimen of the mineral Beryl that is greenish-blue in color. Its name comes from two Latin terms, aqua and marine, meaning water and sea respectively—a reference to the blue colour and the stone’s spiritual properties. Unlike Emerald, another form of beryl, aquamarine is abundant and inexpensive. Have you ever wondered if…
Emerald is a gemstone that belongs to the beryl mineral family. It is known for its rich green color, which is caused by the presence of small amounts of chromium or vanadium. For over 5000 years, emerald has been one of the most valuable crystals. It is quite a rare stone and is found in…
Selenite is a variety of the mineral gypsum, composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O). The term selenite comes from the Greek selene for “moon”, referring to the stone’s pearly lustre on cleavage surfaces. Some of the largest crystals found in the world are selenite, with specimens in the Cave of the Crystals being over 12…
The term Opalite is used to refer to things two things. Firstly, it is used to refer to common opal, which is a natural stone that lacks play of color. Secondly, it is used as a marketing name for man-made opalescent glass that looks like opal and moonstone. Have you ever wondered if Opalite is…
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…