Can Shungite Go in the Water? (Is It Magnetic?)

Can Shungite Go in the Water? (Is It Magnetic?)

Shungite is a black, lustrous mineraloid that is made of up to 99% carbon. It was first discovered from a deposit near Shunga Village, in Karelia, Russia, and that’s where the stone gets its name from. Since ancient times, Shungite has been believed to be a purifying stone, and some of these claims have now…

Can Apatite Go in the Water? (And Salt Water?)

Can Apatite Go in the Water? (And Salt Water?)

Apatite is a group of phosphate minerals (usually hydroxyapatite, fluorapatite and chlorapatite) that have similar chemical and physical properties. It is often mistaken for other minerals like topaz and peridot, which is also the reason behind its name; “apatite” is derived from the Greek term apatáō, which means “to deceive”. Over 75% of apatite reserves…

Can Black Obsidian Go in the Water? (And in the Sun?)

Can Black Obsidian Go in the Water? (And in the Sun?)

Obsidian is a volcanic glass formed when lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly, which doesn’t allow atoms to arrange themselves into a crystalline structure. Obsidian has been used to manufacture cutting tools, surgical equipment, and gemstones. It is found in places of recent volcanic activity like Argentina, Chile, Canada, etc. Have you ever wondered…

Can Moldavite Get Wet? (And Go in the Sun?)

Can Moldavite Get Wet? (And Go in the Sun?)

Moldavite is a natural glass formed by a meteorite impact that occurred in Southern Germany about 15 million years ago. It is usually green, yellowish green, or brownish green in color. Moldavite gets its name from the Moldau (Vltava) river in Bohemia, Czech Republic—the place from where the first specimens were discovered.  Have you ever…

Can Smoky Quartz go in the Water? (And in the Sun?)

Can Smoky Quartz go in the Water? (And in the Sun?)

Smoky Quartz is a brownish variety of Quartz, made up of silicon dioxide (SiO4). The crystals range from almost completely transparent to opaque brown/black crystals. Smoky Quartz is a relatively inexpensive gem because it is abundantly available, and Brazil is the main source of the crystal. Have you ever wondered if Smoky Quartz can go…

Can Selenite go in Salt? (And Himalayan Salt)

Can Selenite go in Salt? (And Himalayan Salt)

Selenite is a transparent crystal habit variety of the mineral gypsum. Like all kinds of gypsum, it is made up of calcium sulfate dihydrate (having two molecules of water) and has the chemical formula CaSO4·2H2O. Its name comes from the Greek term selene meaning “moon” because people believed that the crystal waxed and waned like…

Can Rose Quartz Go in the Water? (And Salt Water?)

Can Rose Quartz Go in the Water? (And Salt Water?)

Rose quartz refers to the pink specimens of the mineral Quartz (SiO2). The stone gets its distinctive pink colour due to microscopic inclusions of a pink variant of dumortierite. Rose Quartz usually occurs as large, anhedral specimens, and they are found in large quantities all over the world. Have you ever wondered if Rose Quartz…

Can Hematite Go in the Water? (And Sun?)

Can Hematite Go in the Water? (And Sun?)

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…

Can Citrine go in the Water? (And Sun and Salt?)

Can Citrine go in the Water? (And Sun and Salt?)

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….

Can Aquamarine go in the Water? (And in Sun and Salt)

Can Aquamarine go in the Water? (And in Sun and Salt)

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…

Can Amethyst go in the Water? (And in Salt Water?)

Can Amethyst go in the Water? (And in Salt Water?)

Amethyst is a variety of quartz (SiO2), and it is the most popular purple gem in the world. Its name comes from the Koine Greek term amethystos, meaning “not intoxicated”—a reference to the belief that the stone protects its owners from feeling drunk. Amethyst is widely used in jewelry. But have you ever wondered if…

Can Emerald go in the Water? (And in Sun and Salt Water?)

Can Emerald go in the Water? (And in Sun and Salt Water?)

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…

Can Selenite Go in Water? (And in the Sun?)

Can Selenite Go in Water? (And in the Sun?)

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…

Can Opalite go in the Water? (And Properties of Opalite)

Can Opalite go in the Water? (And Properties of Opalite)

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…

Can Green Aventurine go in the Water? (And in Sun and Salt)

Can Green Aventurine go in the Water? (And in Sun and Salt)

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,…