Apatite
Bright neon blue-green material is visually striking but relatively soft for a gemstone. Learn its mineral identity, hardness, care, common treatments, authenticity notes and traditional associations.
Read guide →Editorial guides
Traditional Use: <span>Focus</span>
Mineralogy, identification, care, lapidary craft, interiors and documented cultural history—with traditional beliefs clearly labelled as a separate subject.
Magnetite
Small natural crystals can be strongly magnetic, making magnetite physically distinctive. Learn its mineral identity, hardness, care, common treatments, authenticity notes and traditional associations.
Read guide →Azurite
The deep ultramarine blue is one of the most saturated natural colours in common mineral collecting. Learn its mineral identity, hardness, care, common treatments, authenticity notes and traditional…
Read guide →Kyanite
Blue blades often show striations and a glassy-to-pearly lustre. Learn its mineral identity, hardness, care, common treatments, authenticity notes and traditional associations.
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 →Clear Quartz
Ranges from water-clear to included with veils, fractures, phantoms and mineral inclusions. Learn its mineral identity, hardness, care, common treatments, authenticity notes and traditional associations.
Read guide →Fluorite
Cubic crystals and sharp colour zoning make fluorite one of the most architectural-looking display minerals. Learn its mineral identity, hardness, care, common treatments, authenticity notes and traditional associations.
Read guide →Onyx
A useful example of why trade names and mineral identity are not always the same thing. Learn its mineral identity, hardness, care, common treatments, authenticity notes and traditional…
Read guide →Hematite
A red-brown streak is a classic identification clue even when the specimen itself looks metallic grey. Learn its mineral identity, hardness, care, common treatments, authenticity notes and traditional…
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