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 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…
Seawater refers to the water that constitutes the oceans and seas, covering more than 70% of the Earth’s surface. It is a complex mixture containing 96.5% water, 2.5% salts, and a small percentage of other substances (dissolved organic and inorganic materials, atmospheric gases, etc.). Have you ever wondered if seawater is a mineral? In this…
There is a wide range of landforms on the planet. While some landforms like mountains and forests are beautiful, others such as swamps and deserts are not that pleasant. However, we as humans are lucky to have an infinite number of landforms to view. Desert, in particular, is one kind of landform that humans dislike…
Many have looked at a rock and wondered how it came to be. Well, the history of rocks begun about 4.5 billion years ago, when dust and gas combined to form the very rocks that make up our beautiful planet. Rocks are the stuff of stars since they were created from elements harnessed far of…