Gems & Minerals
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BERYLLIUM: A BEVY OF BRILLIANT COUSINS
Beryllium is a shiny metal that combines with other elements to form several gemstones,including emerald, aquamarine, chrysoberyl, and alexandrite.
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TURQUOISE
TURQUOISE describes the treasured gemstone that's the color of the sky. Also included is information about treatments and imitations.
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IVORY
Ivory describes a popular organic material that's harvested from animal teeth. It's been used by humans to make jewelry and art objects for nearly 30,000 years.
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JASPER
JASPER describes several cryptocrystalline members of the
quartz family. These stones are usually opaque and have been valued by people for thousands of years.
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CHALCEDONY
CHALCEDONY describes several cryptocrystalline members of the quartz family. These stones are usually translucent and have been valued by people for thousands of years.
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ONE NAME: TWO GEMS
ONE NAME: TWO GEMS describes nephrite and jadeite, the two minerals commonly known as jade.
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THE KING OF GEMS
THE KING OF GEMS describes rubies, one of the most valuable of all gemstones.
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DOES IT MATTER IF IT'S NOT NATURAL?
DOES IT MATTER IF IT'S NOT NATURAL? describes the various ways in which gemstones may be enhanced or "treated" to improve their appearance or durability.
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GLORIOUSLY GREEN
GLORIOUSLY GREEN presents some facts and folklore about emeralds, the loveliest of all the green gemstones.
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CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR GEMSTONE JEWELRY
CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR GEMSTONE JEWELRY offers tips on keeping gemstone and metal jewelry lovely and undamaged.
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SPECIAL REFLECTIONS
Special Reflections explains briefly how gemstones get their colors, then describes cat's eyes and asterism, which are two special light effects.
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FELDSPAR: UBIQUITOUS MINERAL
FELDSPAR: UBIQUITOUS MINERAL is an overview of the feldspar group of minerals, with an emphasis on moonstone, the best-known of the feldspars.
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TREASURES FROM THE OCEAN
Treasures From The Ocean describes how pearls are formed by oysters. It also explains the differences between natural and cultured pearls. It includes information on caring for pearls.
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CELESTIAL STONE
Celestial Stone describes sapphire, the gem once believed responsible for creating blue skies.
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BRILLIANT ICE
Brilliant Ice describes diamonds, currently the most
popular of all gemstones.
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PETRIFIED SUNLIGHT
Petrified Sunlight describes how amber was formed
millions of years ago. It also discusses how amber can
be distinquished from its many imitators. Hints on
cleaning and caring for amber are included.
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MORE THAN A BLUE ROCK
More Than A Blue Rock describes lapis lazuli, an ancient
blue stone treasured through the ages.
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THE NOBLE KING AND HIS BEAUTIFUL QUEEN
The Noble King and His Beautiful Queen describes the most noble of all minerals--gold and silver. It explains why they're classified as noble metals, and also discusses karat ratings and other terminology.
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TOURMALINE: NATURE'S COLORFUL GIFT
TOURMALINE: NATURE'S COLORFUL GIFT presents general information about one of Nature's most unusual and colorful gemstones.
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OPAL: WATER FILLED WITH FIRE
Opal: Water Filled With Fire describes how one of Nature's
most fascinating gemstone is formed, what gives it it's famous
play of color, and how it should be cared for.
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Facets of Quartz
Facets of Quartz discusses foklore surrounding
rock crystal, amethyst, and rose quartz, which are the most familiar members of the quartz family; and also provides some general information about quartz.
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On A Scale of One to Ten
On A Scale of One To Ten describes how gemstones are rated according to the Mohs Scale of Hardness. Several examples are included in the article.
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The Flowers of the Kingdom
An introduction to how minerals and gemstones are formed, and what makes gemstones valuable.
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