Minerals have a broad range so much so that they have their own discipline of study called mineralogy. These essential elements often have complex processes that lead to their formation.
Diamonds are beautiful and popular - but not everyone can afford these gems. While man-made versions are less expensive, most lack the luster and brilliance of the real thing, except moissanite. See how it compares! See more »
A famous slogan claims that a diamond is forever. While these precious stones symbolize love and glamour for millions of couples, there's a lot about nature's most famous jewel you might not know.
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Diamond engagement rings. Diamond anniversary bands. Diamond earrings and necklaces. And now, the right-hand diamond ring! The four Cs -- cut, clarity, carat and color. Find out what the fuss is all about.
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Diamonds are beautiful and popular - but not everyone can afford these gems. While man-made versions are less expensive, most lack the luster and brilliance of the real thing, except moissanite. See how it compares!
See more »
The world of famous gemstones is a strange one. If we had a nickel for every gargantuan, mystery-shrouded, supposedly cursed ruby or diamond, we'd have enough money to buy one of them.
See more »Agate, a semiprecious variety of quartz valued both for its beauty and for its hardness.
See more »Alabaster, True alabaster is a soft, fine-grained form of gypsum (calcium sulfate) that is easily carved.
See more »Amber, a fossil resin. It was formed millions of years ago from a sticky fluid that oozed from the bark of evergreen trees, such as pine.
See more »Amethyst, a variety of semiprecious quartz that is colored violet-blue or purple by manganese.
See more »Arsenopyrite, or Mispickel, a silvery-white to grayish mineral with grayish-black streaks and a metallic luster.
See more »Asbestos, a name applied to several minerals from which flexible, heat-resistant fibers are obtained.
See more »Azurite, a dark-blue mineral used as an ore of copper. Azurite frequently occurs as well-defined crystals.
See more »Beryl, a mineral used as a gem-stone; the chief ore of the metal beryllium; and an important ceramic material.
See more »Borax, one of the most important compounds of the element boron. Borax is a colorless, crystalline salt consisting of sodium, boron, oxygen, and water.
See more »Cairngorm, (also called Scottish topaz or smoky quartz), a smoky, yellow-brown variety of quartz.
See more »Calcium Carbonate, a compound of calcium, carbon, and oxygen. A number of common rocks (such as limestone and marble) and minerals (such as calcite and travertine) are largely made up of this compound, as are pearls, coral, and a number of sea shells.
See more »Chalcedony, a general term often applied to varieties of quartz with very fine crystalline structures.
See more »Chrysoberyl, a mineral composed of beryllium, aluminum, and oxygen. It is a very hard crystalline substance and is commonly used as a gem.
See more »Chrysolite, an olive-green mineral composed of magnesium, iron, silicon, and oxygen.
See more »Chrysoprase, a light green variety of quartz, used as a gem. Its color is due to the presence of a small quantity of nickel oxide.
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