Serpentine
Green serpentine can resemble jade visually while being geologically distinct and usually softer. Learn its mineral identity, hardness, care, common treatments, authenticity notes and traditional associations.
Read guide →Editorial guides
Placement: <span>Desk</span>
Mineralogy, identification, care, lapidary craft, interiors and documented cultural history—with traditional beliefs clearly labelled as a separate subject.
Sunstone
Depending on locality, the sparkle may look coppery, golden or reddish. Learn its mineral identity, hardness, care, common treatments, authenticity notes and traditional associations.
Read guide →Shungite
Usually matte to semi-metallic black, with higher-carbon pieces appearing shinier. Learn its mineral identity, hardness, care, common treatments, authenticity notes and traditional associations.
Read guide →Amazonite
Its blue-green colour can resemble tropical water, often crossed by white feldspar streaking. Learn its mineral identity, hardness, care, common treatments, authenticity notes and traditional associations.
Read guide →Peridot
The colour tends toward yellow-green or olive rather than the bluer greens of emerald. Learn its mineral identity, hardness, care, common treatments, authenticity notes and traditional associations.
Read guide →Obsidian
Freshly broken obsidian can have razor-sharp conchoidal fractures, a reminder that it is glass rather than crystalline quartz. Learn its mineral identity, hardness, care, common treatments, authenticity notes…
Read guide →Iolite
Its directional colour change is one of the most useful visual clues for identification. Learn its mineral identity, hardness, care, common treatments, authenticity notes and traditional associations.
Read guide →Snowflake Obsidian
Its black-and-white spotted pattern makes it one of the easiest obsidian varieties to recognise. Learn its mineral identity, hardness, care, common treatments, authenticity notes and traditional associations.
Read guide →Blue Lace Agate
Fine white banding across powder-blue chalcedony gives it a delicate, textile-like pattern. Learn its mineral identity, hardness, care, common treatments, authenticity notes and traditional associations.
Read guide →Green Tourmaline
Crystals may show colour zoning along their length or across cross-sections. Learn its mineral identity, hardness, care, common treatments, authenticity notes and traditional associations.
Read guide →