Mineralogy of Silicates: Nesosilicates and Sorosilicates
Silicates are the largest mineral class, making up over 90% of the Earth’s crust and mantle. Statistically, you are more likely to encounter…
Silicates are the largest mineral class, making up over 90% of the Earth’s crust and mantle. Statistically, you are more likely to encounter…
Halides, carbonates, and sulfites are considered sedimentary minerals. In this article, you will learn about evaporites and how these three…
Some species of the oxide and hydroxide classes are important ore minerals while others are valuable gemstones. We will explore these diverse…
This article covers eight rare mineral classes not commonly studied in gemology: phosphates, arsenates, vanadates, wolframates, molybdates,…
Native elements are minerals composed entirely of one element. Traditionally, they’re one of the first subjects mineralogy students…
I’ve faced many questions about the element chromium (Cr), the red coloration of minerals, and the gemstone red beryl. One of the…
Many factors can contribute to a mineral’s color. However, some minerals can have many different colored varieties, while others only occur…
Most gems form naturally as minerals within the Earth. Most form as crystals, solids whose atoms are arranged in highly ordered repeating patterns…
Have you ever wondered where mineral names come from and what they mean? This article will cover the origins of mineral names and discuss the principal…
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