List of Purple Rocks and Minerals
Purple Crystals and minerals are a beautiful addition to any rock and mineral because they come in various crystal shapes and structures. If you’re new to this rock-collecting hobby then you’ll need to understand there are more gems, minerals, crystals, and specimens than you can possibly count or remember. However, you’ll naturally fall in love […]
List of Orange Rocks and Minerals
Orange minerals and crystals are pretty fascinating and mother nature has given us quite a few to add to our rock and mineral collections. If you’re new to this rock-collecting hobby then you’ll need to understand there are more gems, minerals, crystals, and specimens than you can possibly count or remember. However, you’ll naturally fall […]
Grape Agate, Everything You Need to Know
Grape agate is a relatively new chalcedony discovered in the mid-2000s but it took a couple of years for collectors to be able to purchase them on a commercial basis. Sure, you could find a random rock and mineral dealer at Tucson Gem and Mineral show who had 4-5 pieces but he or she wanted […]
Cleaning Quartz Crystals With Iron Out
If you’re looking for a simple way to clean your quartz crystals without having to order toxic chemicals online and have them shipped to your house then you should consider using Iron Out. You’ll be able to purchase this solution at your local Home Depot or Lowes store and it’s fairly easy to use and […]
Gemologist Guide to Identifying Zircon
Zircon is a well-known gemstone because it’s commercially available in jewelry and sought after by gem cutters. You’ll typically see it in blue to bluish-green hues and sizes range from just under a carat up to 12 carats plus. What you probably don’t know about Zircon is the color of the gemstone when it is […]
Gemologist Guide to Identifying Demantoid Garnet
Demantoid Garnets are a rare variety of Andradite Garnets and you probably won’t come across one of these unless you’re actively identifying and assessing gemstones on a regular basis. Gemstone collectors are the biggest buyer of this species of Garnet and they’re not commercially available. This precious gemstone’s name means “diamond-like” which comes from the […]
Gemologist Guide to Identifying Diamonds
Having to identify a diamond is more common than you’d imagine because people inherit jewelry or buy jewelry from an auction or garage sale and believe they have a valuable gemstone. The most common outcome is the owner realizing they have cubic zirconia or some type of imitation. That said, let’s look into how to […]
Gemologist Guide to Identifying Sphalerite
Sphalerite is not well known among mainstream gemstone buyers but serious collectors know about its unique characteristics. Due to its high dispersion and glowing colors, Sphalerite is sought after by rare gemstone connoisseurs. Sphalerite is a zinc sulfide mineral with the chemical composition (Zn, Fe)S. It can be sourced from every continent but rarely makes […]
How To Get into Rockhounding
If you’re trying to figure out how to get started in rockhounding then you probably have a natural curiosity for gemstones and crystals. With that curiosity comes the need for different rocks and minerals to add to your collection. That is when you know you’re a true rockhound at heart. The rockhound community is made […]
The Largest Nugget of Gold Ever Discovered
Most experts agree the Welcome Stranger is the largest gold nugget ever found and is closely followed by the Welcome Nugget. You’d think we would have a clear-cut winner based on weight alone but that is not the case. Gold nugget enthusiasts, also known as gold bugs, have been debating whether the “Holterman Nugget” is […]