Crystals
Chalcedony
Chalcedony • Microcrystalline Quartz SiO2 (Quartz + Moganite) Mohs 6.5–7 • SG ~2.58–2.64 Chalcedony 🌥️ — Silky Light, Ancient Craft, and a Rainbow of Varieties From Roman seal rings to...
Chalcedony
Chalcedony • Microcrystalline Quartz SiO2 (Quartz + Moganite) Mohs 6.5–7 • SG ~2.58–2.64 Chalcedony 🌥️ — Silky Light, Ancient Craft, and a Rainbow of Varieties From Roman seal rings to...
Diopside
Diopside • CaMgSi2O6 Pyroxene Group • Monoclinic Mohs ~5.5–6.5 • Two Cleavages at ~90° Diopside 🌿 — Fresh‑Green Pyroxene, from Alpine Marbles to Emerald‑Bright Gems Think forest after rain—then add...
Diopside
Diopside • CaMgSi2O6 Pyroxene Group • Monoclinic Mohs ~5.5–6.5 • Two Cleavages at ~90° Diopside 🌿 — Fresh‑Green Pyroxene, from Alpine Marbles to Emerald‑Bright Gems Think forest after rain—then add...
Carnelian
Carnelian (a.k.a. cornelian) • orange‑to‑red variety of chalcedony (microcrystalline SiO₂) Color cause: Fe³⁺ (iron oxides/hydroxides — hematite/goethite) + natural/induced heat Mohs: ~6.5–7 • SG: ~2.58–2.64 • Luster: waxy‑vitreous • Transparency:...
Carnelian
Carnelian (a.k.a. cornelian) • orange‑to‑red variety of chalcedony (microcrystalline SiO₂) Color cause: Fe³⁺ (iron oxides/hydroxides — hematite/goethite) + natural/induced heat Mohs: ~6.5–7 • SG: ~2.58–2.64 • Luster: waxy‑vitreous • Transparency:...
Hematite
Hematite • Fe₂O₃ — iron(III) oxide Crystal system: Trigonal • Habits: massive, botryoidal “kidney ore,” micaceous “specularite,” tabular crystals Mohs: ~5.5–6.5 • SG: ~5.2–5.3 (distinctly heavy) Streak: red‑brown (the famous...
Hematite
Hematite • Fe₂O₃ — iron(III) oxide Crystal system: Trigonal • Habits: massive, botryoidal “kidney ore,” micaceous “specularite,” tabular crystals Mohs: ~5.5–6.5 • SG: ~5.2–5.3 (distinctly heavy) Streak: red‑brown (the famous...
Garnet
Garnet Group • Cubic (Isometric) SiO4 Silicates • Solid‑Solution Family Mohs ~6.5–7.5 • Tough • No Cleavage Garnet ❤️ — From Pomegranate Reds to Electric Greens (and Why It’s So...
Garnet
Garnet Group • Cubic (Isometric) SiO4 Silicates • Solid‑Solution Family Mohs ~6.5–7.5 • Tough • No Cleavage Garnet ❤️ — From Pomegranate Reds to Electric Greens (and Why It’s So...
Labradorite
Labradorite • Plagioclase Feldspar (An₅₀–An₇₀) Formula: (Ca,Na)(Al,Si)4O8 • Triclinic Mohs ~6–6.5 • SG ~2.68–2.72 Cleavage: 2 directions ≈90° (perfect/good) Phenomenon: Labradorescence (iridescent “play of color”) Labradorite — Aurora Borealis, Caught...
Labradorite
Labradorite • Plagioclase Feldspar (An₅₀–An₇₀) Formula: (Ca,Na)(Al,Si)4O8 • Triclinic Mohs ~6–6.5 • SG ~2.68–2.72 Cleavage: 2 directions ≈90° (perfect/good) Phenomenon: Labradorescence (iridescent “play of color”) Labradorite — Aurora Borealis, Caught...