Crystals
Beryl
Beryl • cyclosilicate with six‑membered rings — Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈ Crystal system: Hexagonal • Habit: long hexagonal prisms; massive Mohs: ~7.5–8 • SG: ~2.63–2.90 • RI (spot): ~1.57–1.60 • Birefr.: ~0.004–0.009 (uniaxial...
Beryl
Beryl • cyclosilicate with six‑membered rings — Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈ Crystal system: Hexagonal • Habit: long hexagonal prisms; massive Mohs: ~7.5–8 • SG: ~2.63–2.90 • RI (spot): ~1.57–1.60 • Birefr.: ~0.004–0.009 (uniaxial...
Alum
Double Sulfate “Alum” Family Potassium Alum • KAl(SO4)2·12H2O Isometric • Octahedral Crystals Mohs ~2–2.5 Alum ❄️ — What It Is, Why It’s Loved, and Smart Ways to Use It Clear,...
Alum
Double Sulfate “Alum” Family Potassium Alum • KAl(SO4)2·12H2O Isometric • Octahedral Crystals Mohs ~2–2.5 Alum ❄️ — What It Is, Why It’s Loved, and Smart Ways to Use It Clear,...
Agate
Quartz Family (Chalcedony) Microcrystalline Mohs 6.5–7 Agate 🟤 — Formation, History, Meanings & Everyday Ways to Use It A friendly deep‑dive for curious readers who love layered stories and layered...
Agate
Quartz Family (Chalcedony) Microcrystalline Mohs 6.5–7 Agate 🟤 — Formation, History, Meanings & Everyday Ways to Use It A friendly deep‑dive for curious readers who love layered stories and layered...
Amazonite
Feldspar Family (Microcline) Triclinic • Cross‑hatch Twinning Mohs ~6–6.5 Amazonite 🐬 — Sea‑Green Serenity, Science & Ways to Work With It That unmistakable blue‑green—like a calm lagoon you can wear....
Amazonite
Feldspar Family (Microcline) Triclinic • Cross‑hatch Twinning Mohs ~6–6.5 Amazonite 🐬 — Sea‑Green Serenity, Science & Ways to Work With It That unmistakable blue‑green—like a calm lagoon you can wear....
Bismuth
Element 83 • Bi Rhombohedral • “Hopper” Crystal Habit (synthetic) Melting Point ~271.5 °C Bismuth 🌈 — Iridescent Geometry, Friendly Heavy Metal The rainbow “staircases” you see online? That’s bismuth being...
Bismuth
Element 83 • Bi Rhombohedral • “Hopper” Crystal Habit (synthetic) Melting Point ~271.5 °C Bismuth 🌈 — Iridescent Geometry, Friendly Heavy Metal The rainbow “staircases” you see online? That’s bismuth being...
Bornite
Copper–Iron Sulfide • Cu5FeS4 Orthorhombic (typically massive) Mohs ~3 • SG ~5.0 Bornite 🦚 — “Peacock Ore” Colors, Real‑World Copper, and How to Tell It from Look‑Alikes A copper ore...
Bornite
Copper–Iron Sulfide • Cu5FeS4 Orthorhombic (typically massive) Mohs ~3 • SG ~5.0 Bornite 🦚 — “Peacock Ore” Colors, Real‑World Copper, and How to Tell It from Look‑Alikes A copper ore...