Rocks & Minerals

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...

Diamonds, a special form of carbon created in an environment of extreme pressure and temperature, are some of the oldest minerals on Earth, but it has been in just the last century that humans...

Sucrose, or table sugar (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁), is one of the best-known organic compounds in the world. Sucrose is a disaccharide, which means it is two simple...

Iron, one of the most abundant elements on Earth, helped give rise to entire civilizations and is the key ingredient in steel, without which many of our modern structures would not be standing....

Diamonds are known for being the most durable gemstones and the hardest material naturally available on the earth. Diamonds have long been prized for their indestructible qualities, and the...

Metal alloys are metals made of two or more different elements. There can be several types of alloys including ferrous alloys like carbon steels and stainless steels, and nonferrous alloys like...

In its most pure form, carbon becomes a highly porous material that takes on strong absorbent properties. Also known as "activated carbon," this material can be made from coal, wood, sawdust,...

Superman's favorite parlor trick is to hold a bit of coal in his hands, squeeze, then drop a faceted diamond as if he were throwing away a bit of gum. The actual process of artificially recreating...

A diamond isn't just a girl's best friend. It's a mineral that has a great deal of applications and also one that is highly prized for its beauty and unique characteristics. Most of us are...

Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances. Graphite, like most minerals, is a compound of elements. Specifically, graphite is formed by a bond of carbon atoms. Identifying minerals is...

When it comes to precious stones, few can top the beauty and prestige of a diamond. It is one of the hardest substances on Earth. It is also prized for its rarity. In fact, diamond jewelry is...

The mantle where diamonds are birthed is deep within Earth, down over 100 km. It's a place of high temperatures and high pressures, conditions necessary for carbon atoms to bond together in such a...

The manufacture of synthetic diamonds is an exacting and difficult process that requires a fair amount of specialized equipment and expertise. There are four major methods of creating synthetic...

Carbon is extremely common and occurs in elemental form as well as a virtually unlimited number of compounds throughout the world. Its production is therefore not limited to any particular region....