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Willemite is a unique and fascinating mineral that has captured the imagination of collectors, scientists, and gem enthusiasts alike. As a minor ore of zinc that belongs to the silicate mineral family, willemite forms brilliant green crystals that exhibit an intense fluorescence under shortwave ultraviolet light. This striking fluorescent property is what willemite is best … [Read more...] about Willemite Wonders: Discovering the Fluorescent Beauty of this Gem

Lapis lazuli is a deep blue metamorphic rock that has been prized since antiquity for its vivid color and used in jewelry, carvings, and ornamental objects for thousands of years. The name comes from the Latin lapis meaning "stone" and the Persian lazward meaning "blue", so it literally translates to "blue stone". This semiprecious stone is colored by lazurite, a blue silicate … [Read more...] about Lapis Lazuli: The Blue Gemstone of Ancient Kings and Modern Collectors

Diamond has rightfully earned its place as the hardest mineral on Earth, with a perfect 10 rating on the Mohs hardness scale. Yet a few rare minerals can rival diamond in hardness, such as the lesser-known moissanite, which earns a 9.25 on the same scale. Even more impressive is the ultra-durable mineral wurtzite boron nitride, able to withstand a whopping 18% more stress than … [Read more...] about The Hard Truth: Unveiling the Hardest Rock and Mineral on Earth

Silicate minerals make up the vast majority of the minerals in Earth's crust, accounting for approximately 90 percent. They possess an impressive range of physical properties and chemical structures, making them essential to the processes that shape planetary evolution. Silicate minerals are composed of silicate groups, subunits with the formula [SiO2+n]2n−. This versatility … [Read more...] about From Quartz to Feldspar: The Diversity of Silicate Minerals

Black Tourmaline is a striking semi-precious gemstone known for its deep and opaque black color. Its hues can range from bluish-black to greenish-black to brownish-pink depending on the mineral composition. The color arises from the combination of all visible spectrum wavelengths, giving Black Tourmaline an appearance reminiscent of a starless night sky. The structure of … [Read more...] about The Enigmatic Stone: What Does Black Tourmaline Truly Looks Like