Journal

From the Workbench

Ametrine Is Two Crystals in One (And It Only

May 9, 2026

Ametrine Is Two Crystals in One (And It Only

Ametrine SiO2 quartz, natural bicolor amethyst purple + citrine yellow. Formed different temperature conditions same crystal, sharp or gradual boundary.
Benitoite Is Rarer Than Sapphire (And You Have

May 9, 2026

Benitoite Is Rarer Than Sapphire (And You Have

Benitoite BaTiSi3O9 barium titanium silicate, discovered 1907 James Marshall Couch California San Benito County, 1985 California state gem.
Rhodochrosite Looks Like Strawberry Ice Cream

May 9, 2026

Rhodochrosite Looks Like Strawberry Ice Cream

Rhodochrosite — pronounced "row-doe-CROW-site" — shows up in swirling bands of pink, white, and deep rose.. It really does look like someone sliced open a.
3 Must-Know Rare Blue Gemstones

May 9, 2026

3 Must-Know Rare Blue Gemstones

Dumortierite Al Fe 7 BO3 SiO4 3O3, deep blue blue purple, fibrous, Mohs 7-8.5 very hard, $1-5/ct, France Madagascar US Sri Lanka.
5 Fake Turquoise Types and How to Spot Each

May 9, 2026

5 Fake Turquoise Types and How to Spot Each

Turquoise fake identification guide. 5 types: Dyed Howlite acetone test, Dyed Magnesite density 2.1 vs 2.6-2.
How to Buy Moonstone Without Getting Scammed

May 9, 2026

How to Buy Moonstone Without Getting Scammed

Always do your own research before making a purchase.. Here's something most jewelry stores won't tell you: moonstone isn't some rare, mystical mineral.
Dioptase Is Prettier Than Emerald (So Why Is It

May 9, 2026

Dioptase Is Prettier Than Emerald (So Why Is It

Dioptase CuSiO3 H2O hydrated copper cyclosilicate, Greek dioptazein visible through. Color from Cu2+ copper ion like malachite turquoise.
Cavansite Has the Most Shocking Blue Color of

May 9, 2026

Cavansite Has the Most Shocking Blue Color of

Cavansite Ca VO Si4O10 4H2O vanadium calcium silicate, name from CAlcium VAnadium SILicate. Discovered 1967 Oregon.
Thunder Eggs Hide Beautiful Agates Inside Ugly

May 9, 2026

Thunder Eggs Hide Beautiful Agates Inside Ugly

Thunder egg geode nodule, outer rhyolite matrix inner filled agate chalcedony jasper quartz. Only forms in rhyolite lava flows.
Herkimer Diamond Is Not a Diamond (It Is Better

May 9, 2026

Herkimer Diamond Is Not a Diamond (It Is Better

Herkimer diamond not diamond, doubly terminated quartz SiO2. Named Herkimer County New York only source worldwide.
Scolecite Looks Like White Needles But It

May 9, 2026

Scolecite Looks Like White Needles But It

Scolecite CaAl2Si3O10 3H2O zeolite calcium aluminosilicate, Greek skolex worm curls when heated loses water.
I Found a Stilbite Cluster That Looked Like

May 9, 2026

I Found a Stilbite Cluster That Looked Like

Stilbite NaCa4Al8Si28O72 30H2O zeolite, Greek stilbein shining pearl luster. Bowtie shape V-shaped crossed bladed crystals.
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