Blue kyanite gemstone from Nepal
27 Nov 2016

Kyanite: Blue Nepalese Beauty

Kyanite is a blue silicate mineral typically lined with gray and white which forms distinctive brittle crystals. Some kyanite pieces are light blue, while others are darker blue; most specimens exhibit a range of blue shades.

Typically the stone is translucent, but full of inclusions. This makes it glassy in some spots and cloudy in others. If there is a lot of white in a piece of kyanite, it may have a kind of “icy” appearance.

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Prehnite crystals on epidote matrix (dark) from Mali
31 Aug 2016

Prehnite Guide

Prehnite is a beautiful and unique mineral with an unusual glassy texture which occurs in an array of pale green hues. While it is not the most well-known gemstone, it does make a wonderful choice for jewelry, and it looks great in any mineral display case.

Read on to find out more about this striking gem!

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Polished hematite stone
28 Aug 2016

Hematite Guide

Hematite is perhaps one of the most recognizable minerals in existence. As the mineral form of iron(III) oxide, it comes in several different colors, ranging from steel gray to red or reddish brown.

It is renowned for its distinctive metallic luster.

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Smoky quartz crystal from Russia
25 Aug 2016

Smoky Quartz Guide

If you have ever looked through the quartz selection at a rock shop and spied a dark grey, brown, or black variety of quartz, you may have seen a specimen of smoky quartz.

Smoky quartz is a popular form of quartz for jewelry and general collecting purposes, and is a close relative of another form of quartz called citrine.

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Wire-wrapped moonstone pendant
21 Aug 2016

Moonstone – The Complete Guide

If you are looking to add a gemstone to your collection which will definitely turn heads, search no further than moonstone.

Moonstone is quite a remarkable stone, exhibiting a distinctive visual effect unlike any other. As you turn it in your hand, an ethereal sheen skips across the surface. This sheen may even appear to glow, often with a ghostly blue hue.

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Polished malachite from Katanga, DRC (Congo)
18 Aug 2016

Malachite Guide

Malachite is probably one of the most recognizable minerals around. When you walk into a gem store, you can’t miss its bright, vivid green color or its distinctive bands.

If you want to learn more about this distinctive gemstone, you are in the right place!

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spectrolite labradorite stone Finland
17 Aug 2016

Labradorite: Aurora Borealis Gemstone

Labradorite is an unusual gemstone. So unusual that its play of colors was given its own name: labradorescence. Labradorite is mostly used for beads, but high quality labradorite can also be used as a centerpiece in jewelry. It is not an expensive gemstone and is suitable for gem lovers as

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zultanite gemstones, rough and crystal form lighting
17 Aug 2016

Zultanite: Turkish Color Changer

Zultanite is a color change gemstone that is similar to alexandrite. Zultanite is the trade name for a gem quality variety of diaspore. Zultanite is an extremely rare gemstone and is quite expensive, especially the larger stones. Table of Contents Properties, Color & Uses Buying Guide Care & Cleaning Video

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This piece of pyrite showcases why it is easy to mistake it for gold
17 Aug 2016

Pyrite Guide

Maybe you remember as a kid finding a shiny golden rock in the wilderness and holding it up in wonder and excitement. “I’ve just found GOLD,” you declared in glee to your parents, who then sadly shook their heads.

“No, that’s fool’s gold,” they explained as your face fell in turn. Though it’s not gold it is still a beautiful mineral, click to find out more!

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Tumble-polished chrysoprase stone
16 Aug 2016

Chrysoprase Guide

If you are a collector of chalcedony, you may be familiar with chrysoprase. While this gemstone may have an unusual-sounding name, it is actually just a form of chalcedony which happens to contain trace amounts of nickel.

Chrysoprase is translucent and typically has a vibrant apple green color. Click to read our extensive guide!

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