Minerals
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.
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Discover the mysterious power of Moonstone—the stone of new beginnings, intuition, and emotional balance. Unlock ancient secrets, spiritual benefits, and healing energies that have fascinated dreamers and travelers for centuries.
By HowStuffWorks
Explore Labradorite Meaning: Mystical properties, spiritual insights, and transformation. Uncover the magic of Labradorite symbolism.
By HowStuffWorks
Diamonds are some of the most brilliant and expensive natural features Earth has to offer. This collection of images displays diamonds in all their uncut and polished shapes and sizes. Obligatory pictures of very large diamonds are included of course.
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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.
By Kevin Bonsor
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!
By Melissa Russell-Ausley
This ancient rock adorns King Tut's coffin and the Sistine Chapel. And at one time it was more precious than gold. What is it about this deep blue rock that has drawn us in for centuries?
Tanzanite is so rare, it is sourced from just an 8-square-mile (20-square-kilometer) area in Tanzania. It was first discovered in the late 1960s and it burst onto the jewelry scene thanks to Tiffany & Co.
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The Mohs hardness scale is used by geologists and gemologists as a way to help identify minerals using a hardness test. How does it work?
This beautiful pink quartz is found in numerous places throughout the world and is thought to be associated with unconditional love.
The element lithium is one of just three created during the Big Bang and has been used for mental health care for decades. But now it's in higher demand than ever before.
From the Hope diamond to the shiny bits in instant coffee, crystals have always held the power to fascinate us humans. Are they more than just a bunch of pretty facets?
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You can find hematite found all over Earth, as well as Mars. The bloodstone the main source of iron and is also used in jewelry and painting.
This white-hot metal not only makes beautiful jewelry, it's coveted for industrial, medical and military purposes too.
By Alia Hoyt & Desiree Bowie
Let's take a look at some of the strongest metals on Earth and their surprising uses.
By Dave Roos & Sascha Bos
Cobalt is associated with the color blue, but it's so needed for rechargeable batteries that the U.S. put it on the list of minerals it can't live without.
By Dave Roos
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Cultures all over the world have treasured turquoise for its color and rarity for thousands of years - from Native American jewelry and Aztec and Mesoamerican art to King Tutankhamun's death mask.
Cinnabar's bright-red pigment has been used in jewelry, pottery and makeup for millennia. But cinnabar is also the primary ore for mercury, making it a dangerous mineral if the particles are inhaled.
What's the difference between moissanite and diamonds? And which of these brilliant stones wins out when it comes to the engagement ring competition?
By Mitch Ryan
It was the world's largest diamond when mined and today it's cut into nine gems that are all part of the British Crown Jewels. But since the death of Queen Elizabeth II, questions have emerged about its imperialist history.
By Dave Roos
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Curious about healing crystals and their meanings? Here's the lowdown on 12 of the most popular stones for wellbeing.