That’s what platinum looks like under an ion microscope. Each of those bright spots is an atom. Now, how’s this for a science fiction premise:
Category: Ooh . . . Shiny!
Metamorphic Gem: Garnet
This post (with a couple of updates at the end) is from 2018. Mantle gems include diamonds and peridots. These form under intense heat and
Repost: Zabargad: Island of Green Stones
What do former Russian royals and the Red Sea have in common?
Gems, of course–in particular, one famous peridot plus a few smaller ones. All of these stones came from Zabargad Island in the Red Sea.
Guest Video: Amber, Ethics, and Lifelines
Just because you can, does it mean you should? In Myanmar, scientists are finding some incredible dinosaur fossils preserved in local amber, but there is
Guest Video: Collecting Topaz in Utah
Topaz is the hardest silicon-based mineral, and its clarity and beautiful color make this a beautiful and very popular gemstone. Topaz got its name from
Guest Videos: The Hidden Secrets of Minerals
Air bubbles and other meterial trapped in mineral grains tell scientists many things about the Earth and its history.
