Minerals

Bastnäsite is a group of rare earth fluorocarbonate minerals that includes bastnäsite-(Ce), bastnäsite-(La), and bastnäsite-(Y), with each type named after the dominant rare earth...

Bumble Bee Jasper, also known as Orpiment or Eclipse Jasper, is a unique and vibrant form of volcanic rock that is primarily composed of...

Sapphirine is a relatively rare mineral known for its captivating blue color and distinctive crystal structure. It belongs to the family of silicate minerals...

Taaffeite is a rare and highly prized gemstone known for its exquisite beauty and exceptional rarity. It belongs to the beryl family of minerals...

Chalcedony is a mineral that is composed of microscopic crystals of quartz. It is a cryptocrystalline form of silica, meaning that its crystals are...

Prasiolite is a unique and captivating gemstone known for its beautiful green hue and is sometimes referred to as "green amethyst." It is a...

Zoisite is a mineral belonging to the epidote group, which is a group of silicate minerals. It was first discovered in the 19th century...

Mtorolite is a gemstone that belongs to the variety of chalcedony, a type of microcrystalline quartz. It is characterized by its vibrant green color,...

Sepiolite, also known as meerschaum, is a clay mineral that belongs to the group of phyllosilicates. It is named after the Greek word "sepion,"...

The Glaucophane mineral is named after two Greek words: glaukos, which means “bluish green”; and phainesthai, which means “to appear.” Specimens can be gray, lavender blue, or bluish black. Crystals are slender, often lathlike prisms, with lengthwise striations. Twinning is common. Glaucophane can also be massive, fibrous, or granular. When iron replaces the magnesium in its structure, it is known as ferroglaucophane. Glaucophane occurs in schists formed by high-pressure metamorphism of sodium-rich sediments at low temperatures (up to 400°F/200°C) or by the introduction of sodium into the process. Glaucophane is often accompanied by jadeite, epidote, almandine, and chlorite. It is one of the minerals that are referred to as asbestos. Glaucophane and its associated minerals are known as the glaucophane metamorphic facies. The presence of these minerals indicates the range of temperatures and pressures under which metamorphism occurs.

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral known for its softness, smoothness, and ability to absorb moisture. It is a silicate mineral that is composed...

Dioptase is a vibrant and captivating mineral that belongs to the cyclosilicate family. Its name is derived from the Greek words "dia" and "optima,"...