Mineral News

Mineral Spotlight: Dioptase

Mineral Spotlight: Dioptase

In previous centuries, dioptase was highly prized as gemstones in jewelry because of the glass-like qualities it displays when faceted.

Mineral Spotlight: Dioptase

In previous centuries, dioptase was highly prized as gemstones in jewelry because of the glass-like qualities it displays when faceted.

Why Do Ammonite Fossils Have Iridescence?

Why Do Ammonite Fossils Have Iridescence?

Ammonite fossils have been found all over the world, in different forms of mineralization.  Why do some have a lovely iridescence?  The ammonite creature, while alive, produced an organic layer...

Why Do Ammonite Fossils Have Iridescence?

Ammonite fossils have been found all over the world, in different forms of mineralization.  Why do some have a lovely iridescence?  The ammonite creature, while alive, produced an organic layer...

A Brief History of Fossil Hunting- How Strange Creatures from the Past Influenced Myths and Captured Imaginations

A Brief History of Fossil Hunting- How Strange ...

Travel to any natural history museum and you are bound to encounter a display of dinosaur bones.  Although many of the fossils and skeletons may be of more recent finds,...

A Brief History of Fossil Hunting- How Strange ...

Travel to any natural history museum and you are bound to encounter a display of dinosaur bones.  Although many of the fossils and skeletons may be of more recent finds,...

Mineral Spotlight: Herkimer Diamonds

Mineral Spotlight: Herkimer Diamonds

These beautiful stones are not actually diamonds. They are quartz crystals that formed in small cavities in the dolostone rock of Herkimer County, New York. There are a few things...

Mineral Spotlight: Herkimer Diamonds

These beautiful stones are not actually diamonds. They are quartz crystals that formed in small cavities in the dolostone rock of Herkimer County, New York. There are a few things...

A picture of a rough emerald crystal on matrix with logo for MavenRed Minerals and the Question of What is a Mineral?

What is a Crystal?

What exactly is a Crystal?   The answer might surprise you! The term “crystal” means that the internal molecular structure (the atoms) is arranged in a very specific, orderly pattern, that...

What is a Crystal?

What exactly is a Crystal?   The answer might surprise you! The term “crystal” means that the internal molecular structure (the atoms) is arranged in a very specific, orderly pattern, that...

Mineral Spotlight: Aquamarine

Mineral Spotlight: Aquamarine

Let's talk about the birthstone for March, Aquamarine!This mineral is a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, which makes it a popular choice in jewelry. It belongs to the...

Mineral Spotlight: Aquamarine

Let's talk about the birthstone for March, Aquamarine!This mineral is a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, which makes it a popular choice in jewelry. It belongs to the...