Rocks & Minerals

Coin silver is a standardized alloy of silver that has been used in the United States since 1792. Items that are stamped as coin silver were guaranteed to have the same purity as American silver...

Coin silver and sterling silver are too different standard alloys of silver. While sterling silver has become the predominate global standard, coin silver was used as a standard for a period of...

Is there a product that can improve health, enhance livestock feed and work as an insecticide all while being environmentally friendly? Diatomaceous earth may fit the bill.

Many people think of gems as shiny, beautiful pieces, but this can be only attributed to the polished stones that are finely cut by jewelers. When it comes to the natural raw gemstones, you need a...

Pieces of green jasper that have been spotted red bi iron-oxide deposits are called bloodstones. Early Christians believed that bloodstone was created during the Crucifixion as some of Christ's...

Mushroom coral can be a colorful and easy part of any saltwater aquarium. Mushroom coral can be red, green, blue, purple or brown (it can also display a combination of these colors). As a hardy...

Tourmaline is a semiprecious gemstone. The color of tourmaline crystals ranges from pink to green to blue to black and is due to the amount and type of certain elements contained in the crystal....

The three different types of rocks---sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic---are constantly being changed from one type to another through various geological processes.

Apatite is a little known gemstone rarely found in jewelry stores, but highly prized by collectors because of its variety of colors and forms.

Green onyx is a mineral of the Earth that is a compacted and colored form of quartz. Unlike ordinary quarts, the crystalline structure is fine and compacted, making it ideal for gemstones, and...

To grow a crystal, you dissolve a chemical in water. When the water evaporates, the chemicals crystallize. Making or growing crystals is educational, fun and easy. You can buy a kit or use what...

When buying a diamond you always want to evaluate its value. The basic method is by evaluating the four most important characteristics of a diamond, otherwise known as the four C's. These are...

Xonotlite (or Eakleite) is a mineral occurring in Tetela de Xonotla, Mexico. Its crystal type is monoclinic-prismatic, typically forming slender or pointed, needle-like crystals. It was first...

The mineral known as "zeolite" or "zeolites" has many different chemical elements in its composition. In general, zeolites are aluminosilicate minerals that can carry water in their crystalline...

Gemstones are naturally occurring crystalline forms of minerals. Every state in the United States has multiple types of gemstones in varying geologic formations. For example: Minnesota and...

Crystals are the result of superheated rock cooling underground. The molecules always harden in a geometric pattern, but the pattern depends on environmental factors. Pressure and minerals in the...

In the past half-century, demand for lightweight, tough steel has grown, especially in auto and aircraft manufacturing. Alloy steel satisfies those needs.

Alexandrite is a stone shrouded in mystery and legend. The properties of the stone, especially the significant color change that occurs between daylight and night lighting, have been said to endow...

Acetate peels are used in many different fields. They are most often used are in museums for the study of bones and fossils, and in dentistry for the examination of teeth and dentures. Technicians...

Citric acid is a substance that is commonly thought of as being in citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges, but it is actually found in almost all living organisms, whether they be plant or...

Crystals and minerals are basically the same thing. Crystal refers to the shape of the specimen, while mineral refers to the internal makeup, usually indicated by color. There are thousands of...

Bentonite clay, a grainy rock, forms during volcanic activity and is eventually deposited as sediment in water. Buried under a body of water, it has been compressed for millions of years....

Growing Epsom salt crystals is a straightforward process that can be easily accomplished with a salt water solution and a bowl or other container. Rocks are placed in the containers to provide a...

The country of Japan is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for its seismic activity. As such, Japan's topography is dominated by mountains and volcanoes. The island nation also has...

Boron is a natural mineral that is relatively rare to find in pure form. Some complex compounds with boron have various cleaning properties that people have benefited from for generations.

According to the International Colored Gem Association, the tradition of birthstones dates back to the "Breastplate of Aaron." This religious/ceremonial garment carried 12 gemstones that...

Ruby, the traditional birthstone for July, is a hard stone, second only to the diamond. It comes in various shades of red with the darker colors being more valuable.

Aquamarine, the traditional March birthstone, is a hard, lustrous stone usually used in jewelry. It is a common gemstone that is mined worldwide, with Brazil being the largest producer.

Opals are gemstones that naturally occur in many colors and variations. Only as hard as glass, the stones can be tricky to cut and smooth without damaging them. Many find it an exciting challenge...

Oxygen is a necessary component in worldwide industries, including welding, oil refining, medicine and waste treatment. It burns when exposed to a flame, allows humans to heal more efficiently...

Fluorescence is a type of luminescence that is caused when an element, gas, or mineral is exposed to ultraviolet light. There are more than 500 fluorescent minerals that glow when exposed to UV...

A 4-foot tall conical model volcano can be an exciting centerpiece for your float. Building a float-size volcano is a process and you'll need to schedule your time accordingly. Drying time of at...

Jade is the name of a gemstone that consists of jadeite, nephrite or both. Jadeite is rarer than nephrite. Imperial jade refers to jadeite that has a translucent emerald green color.

Fossils form when the original minerals in the body of an animal or plant become trapped in sediment and decay. Other minerals that are compositionally similar to rocks replace these minerals. A...

Drusy refers to a type of micro-crystalline formation resembling sugar that forms on a substrate or base mineral material. Drusy quartz is a semi-precious gemstone in which the micro-crystalline...

The word "mineral" is derived from the word "mine" because most minerals are mined from the Earth's crust. There are many common minerals, such as aluminum, potassium and iron. These are fairly...

Although they rarely take notice, people are surrounded by minerals every day. In fact, all rocks are made out of a combination of 2 or more minerals. Interestingly, it is not possible to have...

Tanzanite is a gemstone that is only found in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Many different shades of tanzanite include brown, iridescent blue, violet, gray and green. Tanzanite can be a good...

Gold is a precious, conductive, and pliable metal that retains a stable value better than many commodities. Its chemical properties make it useful for the manufacture of computers parts,...

Diamonds are available in a variety of shades, from colorless to deep blues or blacks. The brown-hued, or chocolate diamond, is gaining popularity in jewelry settings today.

Gold is a rare metal commonly used in jewelry, currency and electronics. Its shiny yellow color made it popular throughout history for representing wealth. This popularity has also led to using...

True quartz crystals are formed from superheated silicon and oxygen, either deep in the ground, or in space. They are called "crystals" because the shape of their molecules is in a geometric...

The aquamarine is a transparent blue stone used widely in jewelry. Considered a favorite by many jewelry designers for its workability, it is widely popular. Aquamarine is the March birthstone.

Building your own vibrating rock tumbler can be a fun and educational activity for you and your children. It can also be cheaper than purchasing a new rock tumbler at the store. Vibrating rock...

Gypsum is a naturally occurring form of calcium sulfate, CaSO₄·2H₂O. It is used in the building trade for gypsum board, also called drywall, and is an ingredient in plaster of...

Limestone is a mineral primarily composed of CaCO3 (calcium carbonate). This compound is a white chalky substance with poor solubility in water. When acid is added, the limestone is broken down...

An erupting volcano can have significant impact on civilization. Consider the lava flow from the eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington. Yet, without geological disturbances, lava rock such as...

Since the days when dinosaurs still walked the earth, man has been fascinated and captivated by the mysterious metal gold. Today the price of gold has reached a historic high, over $1,000 per...

Pyrite is a common mineral, often referred to as "Fool's Gold." It is pale yellow in color and harder than gold. Pyrite is found in many places around the world, including many locations...